Tuesday, November 8, 2011

OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 13, 2011 12-4 PM

This is a must see home. It is 3200 sq. ft. Cape Cod with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, oversized 2 car garage is situated on 7.1 acres overlooking a vineyard in a very nice up-scale community in Wye Mills, MD. 20 minutes from the Bay Bridge, 15 minutes from Easton and 1 1/2 hours from Ocean City. The vineyard yields an annual income. Bonus room above the garage. Home has new heating and cooling units. Dual heat zone. Whole house has been professionally weatherized for better home performance including more energy efficiency. Video Surveillance conveys. Hardwood floors throughout the home. All bedrooms have carpet. Tile floor in kitchen and master bath. Up-graded kitchen Jenn-Air, breakfast bar and breakfast nook. Dining room with sky lights. Formal dining room, currently being used as home office. Very nice living room with vaulted ceiling, surround sound, clover leaf window, and slider doors that go out to a two-tiered deck overlooking a beautiful serene back yard. Wood stove surrounded by brick. Master bedroom on first floor with a very large master bath with large jacuzzi tub, seperate shower, skylight, dual sinks and seperate vanity. Nice entrance inside the home opens into a large foyer and steps that take you to the second floor. Upper Balcony overlooks living room. Two bedrooms upstairs; one on each wing of the home. Full bath with laundry room attached. There is another room off of one of the bedrooms.

There is a 40 x 20 concrete/ cinder block building that has many possibilities of use. It has air, heat, water, kitchen, tile floor, and much more. Paved driveway. Property is half open and half wooded. Zoned RAC. No covenants. No restrictions. Hunting allowed!

All of this for $649,500

If you want to preview home prior to advertised open house date, please contact me.

So, stop by, take a tour, and see yourself living in this beautiful home.

My name is Lisa Longest with Exit Gold Realty, specializing in residential real estate in Stevensville, Wye Mills, and surrounding areas. If you or anyone you know needs help with real estate, just contact me at 443-786-4200 or email me at www. LisaLongest@ExitGoldRealty.com

I'm the Realtor who will be with you the "Longest"

Friday, October 21, 2011

Absolute Auction in Chester Md

This doesn't happen too often so I thought I better mention it. Someone may just be interested in this. This home was built in 2000 and has approximately 2100 sq ft of living space. It offers 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, fireplace, sliding doors to rear deck, situated on .24 acres. It does have vinyl siding, 2 car garage and has public water and sewer. The location is outstanding, just about 1 mile off Route 50, also known as Ocean Gateway, and the neighboring homes are in excellent condition. The starting bid is set at $40,000 and since it is an absolute auction, the highest bid gets it. Now the property will need some renovations, but it will be so worth it. The auction is scheduled for Tuesday,November 8,2011 at 11:30 am. I have plat and terms and conditions, so give me a call if you are interested.

I'm Lisa Longest with Exit Gold Realty. I specialialize in residential real estate in Stevensville Md and surrounding areas, such as Chester MD. Feel free to contact me at 443-786-4200 or email me at LisaLongest@ExitGoldRealty.com

I'm "The Realtor That Will Be With You The Longest"

Thursday, September 15, 2011

104 Teal Court and 116 Teal Court Open House- Stevensville MD

I will be holding an open house at these two locations (both in same building) this Saturday September 17, 2011 from 1-4 pm. I would like for you to visit me during this time. Bayside community is a wonderful place to live here on kent island. It is close to Bay bridge, schools, restaurants, and entertainment. Bayside offers pool, tennis, club house, exercise room, and close to bike and walking trails.

Addresses are:

104 Teal Ct MLS: QA7484914

116 Teal Ct MLS: QA7551602

Visit www.realtor.com to view these listings along with virtual tours.

My name is Lisa Longest at Exit Gold Realty. I specialize in real estate in the Stevensville Md location and other nearby cities. If you have any real estate needs, or know someone who does, please call me at 443-786-4200

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Ready to Spend on Green?

Heating and cooling a home today is not cheap. Consumers over the years have expressed concerns about increasing utility costs and some are rejecting homes with two-story great rooms and walls of windows-often costly to heat and cool. But purchasing a solar heating system, installing new double-pane windows, or replacing old appliances isn't cheap either. For a long time, the high expense associated with "going green" has kept many home owners from embracing energy-efficient features.

Now however, consumers are motivated to do the right thing about the environment and finding out that they can save money in the long run. Yes, it's easy to get overwhelmed with green ideas because there is so much you can do. But you don't have to do everything...just pick one or two things now and then add something again later.

Even some home builders, in response to demand, are rolling out energy labels for new homes, which provides estimates of monthly energy costs, triggering a different approach to home shopping for energy-conscious buyers.

Do you need more help to get you to go "green"? Well there are federal tax credits available, and energy-efficient mortgages are options to help home owners pay for "green" upgrades.

I'm Lisa Longest with Exit Gold Realty. I specialize in real estate in Stevensville Md and surrounding areas. If you or anyone you know needs help with real estate, just contact me at 443-786-4200 or email me at lisalongest@exitgoldrealty.com. I'm the Realtor who will be with you the "Longest"

Friday, May 27, 2011

Energy Efficiency and Green Features in Homes

I'm going to toot my own horn this time because I am very proud of this designation. I have joined the movement of professionals pushing the real estate market toward energy-efficient, sustainable, and healthier features in homes and buildings. With national surveys indicating that 9 out of 10 consumers consider energy efficiency and the environmentally sound aspects of a home to be almost as important as interior finishes, Certified Eco-Brokers are simply in a better position to serve the savvy green-minded real estate consumer.

Please take time to read my article and keep me in mind to help you purchase a more energy-efficient home or market your home as such.

My name is Lisa Longest and I work for Exit Gold Realty. I specialize in Stevensville Md and surrounding cities. Feel free to contact me at 443-786-4200 or email me at lisalongest@exitgoldrealty.com

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Avoid 3 Common Remodeling Mistakes

The road to bad remodeling is paved with good intentions. Anyone tackling a major project wants his home to look and work better--and to get a reasonable return on investment. But renovations are packed with so much stress and emotion that it's easy to go wrong.

With that said, let's learn how to keep from falling into these 3 common mistakes.

1. Being a slave to fashion: The more up-to-the-minute your project is today, the more out-of-date it will seem in 5-10 years. So, go with classic choices that match the house's original style.

2. Skimping on the design: Make sure your renovation project is well thought out. If you are doing, let's say, building an addition or moving interior walls, spend the $1000-$5000 to hire an architect (to draw a plan, not project manager)

3. Over-investing in the kitchen: Yes, great kitchens sells houses! But there is a limit to what you can recoup for granite countertops and commercial-grade appliances. Kitchens represents anywhere from 5%-15% of a home's value, so limit your kitchen renovation budget to that range.

So, go ahead with your well prepared plans of renovating. Count your costs and have a blast.

My name is Lisa Longest and I work for Exit Gold Realty. I specialize in Stevensville, Md and surrounding cities. Feel free to contact me at 443-786-4200 or email me at lisalongest@exitgoldrealty.com

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Housing Inventory in Queen Anne County-Stevensville MD

So you have a house on the market in Queen Anne County on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland and can't figure out why it's not selling. Well, there really could be a variety of reasons, however, I am going to discuss just one possible reason: INVENTORY!

The absorption rate of your area is very important to know when pricing your home to sell it. If you really want to sell to move on, you may consider the absorption rate before considering market value. You may want to consider a selling price based on the absorption rate.

Not sure what the absorption rate is? I will tell you. It is an estimate of the rate at which a particular classification of properties for sale can be successfully marketed in a given area. An absorption rate must be developed to analyze supply and demand.

Let me give you an example:

This is a current example:

Active Listings in Queen Anne County: 707

Now divide the active listings with what has SOLD:

In the last 6 months: 189 = 3+ Months

In the last 3 months: 106 = 6+ Months

In the last month: 37 = 19+ Months

Now you know how much inventory is currently on the market as of this past month in Queen Anne's County....over 1 1/2 yrs. This is what you are competing against. And this statistic is constantly changing as properties are listed or sold. So, this makes it imperative, as an agent, to keep your clients informed.

Now you just found out how to decide whose market it is:

* Sellers' market conditions-Absorption rate is 1-4 months.
* Normal market conditions-5-6 months.
* Buyers' market conditions-7+ months

Has your agent gone over this bit of information with you? I hope so. If not, ask them to. This example is a generalized absorption rate. Perhaps you want one done with specific data that corresponds to your particular market.

My name is Lisa Longest and I work for Exit Gold Realty. I specialize in Stevensville Md and surrounding cities. Feel free to contact me at 443-786-4200 or email me at lisalongest@exitgoldrealty.com

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Bay City Community Stevensville Md

Bay City is one of the few communities located directly on the Chesapeake Bay. This community consists of approximately 700 single family property owners and is situated just south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on Maryland’s eastern shore. For BCPOA members the community has two waterfront parks. The south park is located directly on the Chesapeake Bay, its amenities include picnic tables, grills and a play ground. At the south park you can enjoy the picturesque views of the bay while your children or grandchildren are swinging at the play ground. The north park is for the boaters and crabbers; it is located on Broad Creek and includes a 50 ft dock with a concrete boat ramp. Both parks are also great fishing spots for BCPOA members. If you love the eastern shore and the Chesapeake Bay, Bay City is the ideal community.

Nearby can be found Matapeake State Park, Blue Heron golf course, Bay Bridge marina, Bay Bridge Airport, Kent Narrows, and the Queenstown outlets are a short drive away.

Now currently, there are 24 houses on the market in Bay City; 5 are under contract, 3 sold in the last 20 days, and there is 1 rental. The prices of these homes range from $185,000-$1,000,000.

Hi, my name is Lisa Longest and I work for Exit Gold Realty. I specialize in Bay City and Stevensville Md. Feel free to contact me to get more information on homes for sale in Stevensville MD and surrounding cities at 443-786-4200

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Your Stevensville MD Realtor

My name is Lisa Longest and I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland. I specialize in the areas of Stevensville, Chester, Grasonville, Queenstown, Centreville and the surrounding areas.

 

I have 8 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Realtor, I bring special tools and solutions that exceed the expectations of my clients.  If you are considering listing your property in Stevensville or surrounding areas, ask me about our latest marketing systems.  I am a talented contract negotiator who relies on market analysis of housing trends together with a keen understanding of each community’s unique characteristics.  I am certified to handle both sides of short sales and pre-foreclosure sales. .  I would love the opportunity to earn your business and look forward to hearing from you.

 

I work with people to help them build the lifestyle they want. I help them make decisions that will change their lives for the better. Houses aren't just products to me. They are the four walls that hold the people and the memories we love the most. Houses are where we build our lives, entertain friends, and care for the family. For years now, I've helped many people make life-changing decisions about where to live, In turn, it's changed my life. That's why I love being a Realtor.

 

Professional Affiliations:

ABR

CRS

SFR

E-Pro

The Maryland Association of Realtors

The Bay Area Board of Realtors

Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc

National Association of Realtors

 

Awards:

Rookie Realtor Of The Year

Silver Volume Award

Bronze Volume Award

Executive Club Award

Certificate Of Recognition by Metropolitan’s Who’s Who

 

"I was walking out to my car when I got off work and I got the call. Lisa said, the sellers had accepted my offer. I could not believe it! The next few months were a whirl wind as Lisa warned me they would be; inspections, conditions, improvements, and not to mention I didn't pick the easiest company to work with to finance me, but Lisa took care of it all. We would talk as she explained everything and I calmed right down... with all that being said, I am truly thankful that Lisa is my real estate agent. I recommend her to everyone I know, and I will definitely use her as my agent when I purchase my next home. Thank you Exit Gold for employing such an honest, caring person. I could not have asked for someone better to guide me through the process."

"We would like to thank Exit Gold and Lisa Longest for the wonderful job in our search to buy our first home. Lisa was instrumental in helping us to find a mortgage broker, finding our new house and walking us through every step. She explained everything we needed to know. She looked out for our best interests during the whole process. She was very kind and a lot of fun to work with. We would recommend Lisa to anyone looking for a real estate agent, and we would love to call on her again when we need to purchase a home in the future."

"This is a brief note to express our thanks for all the diligent efforts by Lisa in the sale of our house. We had tried to sell our house with an agent that is a family friend several months prior to coming to Exit  Gold, but had no luck. Lisa had our house on the market the week after we talked to her, and had it sold one week after that. Lisa was a gem of an agent through the whole process, a true professional. Again, on behalf of my whole family, our many thanks for all her tact, poise, and plain hard work."

 I have lived here in Stevensville for the past 21 years.  I enjoy life in general, the good and the bad.  Life is one big experience to learn from.  I really enjoy just about anything outdoors, such as fishing, crabbing, boating, camping, hiking, horseback riding, gardening, etc.  My husband and I also spend a great deal of time in volunteer work for our ministry.

Friday, February 18, 2011

First Time Buyers Demand Move-In Ready Starter Homes

In the day, when you used the phrase "starter home", you would think of a little home or an entry level home, that might need a little TLC, and was affordable for a first-time home buyer. Then, once they get their foot in the door of purchasing a home, they could, through the years upgrade to larger, move-in ready homes.

In today's market however, with the abundance of home choices, current first-time home buyers want places that are move in ready. According to the National Association Of Realtor (NAR), first-time home buyers accounted for half of the market in 2010.

So, as a seller of a house in this market, you may want to consider these few points regarding first-time home buyers:

1. The market afforded them the opportunity to buy a home sooner than later.
2. They are finding their home in a more desirable neighborhood than expected.
3. They are able to get a home at a better price than expected.
4. Got more space than expected.
5. Able to lock in lower interest rates than expected.

What does this tell you, the seller? The condition and quality of their home matters a great deal. First-time home buyers can be choosy about what appeals to them and are recognizing the benefits of the low prices and wide selection of homes in many areas. They are in no hurry to purchase. They are taking their time and doing their homework. They know what they want, shopping on average of 11 homes before making a decision.

So, if you, as a seller, want these first-time home buyers to consider your home, one big thing you may want to make sure of is that your home is priced competitively. Also, along with price, consider the condition of your home. Remember, they want move-in ready homes.

My niche in the real estate business is working with first-time home buyers. I love being able to walk them through the processes of purchasing their first home. And in Stevensville and surrounding areas, we have a nice selection of homes that would be perfect for you as a first-time home buyer. What I like about the Stevensville area is location, location location. It is convenient to shops and services, close to work, even if you are a commuter across the bay Bridge, and near schools. So, get in touch with me, Lisa Longest, and allow me to get you started down the path of home ownership. My cell phone is 443-786-4200. Give me a call. I look forward to hearing from you.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

First Time Buyers Demand Move-In Ready Starter Homes

In the day, when you used the phrase "starter home", you would think of a little home or an entry level home, that might need a little TLC, and was affordable for a first-time home buyer. Then, once they get their foot in the door of purchasing a home, they could, through the years upgrade to larger, move-in ready homes.

In today's market however, with the abundance of home choices, current first-time home buyers want places that are move in ready. According to the National Association Of Realtor (NAR), first-time home buyers accounted for half of the market in 2010.

So, as a seller of a house in this market, you may want to consider these few points regarding first-time home buyers:

1. The market afforded them the opportunity to buy a home sooner than later.
2. They are finding their home in a more desirable neighborhood than expected.
3. They are able to get a home at a better price than expected.
4. Got more space than expected.
5. Able to lock in lower interest rates than expected.

What does this tell you, the seller? The condition and quality of their home matters a great deal. They can be choosy about what appeals to them and are recognizing the benefits of the low prices and wide selection of homes in many areas. They are in no hurry to purchase. They are taking their time and doing their homework. They know what they want, shopping on average of 11 homes before making a decision.

So, if you, as a seller, want these first-time home buyers to consider your home, one big thing you may want to make sure of is that your home is priced competitively. Also, along with price, consider the condition of your home. Remember, they want move-in ready homes.

My niche in the real estate business is working with first-time home buyers. I love being able to walk them through the processes of purchasing their first home. And in Stevensville and surrounding areas, we have a nice selection of homes that would be perfect for you as a first-time home buyer. What I like about the Stevensville area is location, location location. It is convenient to shops and services, close to work, even if you are a commuter across the bay Bridge, and near schools. So, get in touch with me, Lisa Longest, and allow me to get you started down the path of home ownership. My cell phone is 443-786-4200. Give me a call. I look forward to hearing from you.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Stevensville MD- Tenants Rights During Foreclosures/Short Sales

Okay, so you're not a homeowner. You have been renting for several years and now the landlord tells you that he/she is going through foreclosure, but for right now he is going to agree to a short sale of the property. (A short sale is an agreement with the bank to allow you to sell your house for less than is owed on the mortgage).

So you're wondering "Are there any special protections for me as a tenant of a house going into foreclosure/ or short sale?"

Well, there is a federal law, the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act, which gives additional rights to tenants living in a property that changes ownership due to foreclosure. This law requires a minimum of 90 days' notice to month-to-month tenants after the foreclosure has been completed. Tenants who have a bona fide lease are entitled to remain until the lease expires.

Now, it's different with short sales. You have no foreclosure act available to you because the foreclosure was never completed. So, the new owner taking title of the house by means of the short sale now becomes the landlord and can decide to continue your tenancy or terminate it. And yes, he would still have to follow the usual 30-60 day notice period if you have been a tenant for more than one year.

So there you have it in a nut shell. If you find yourself in this situation and need to find another place to lease, I will be glad to assist you. I specialize in the Stevensville and surrounding areas and have access to rentals in the area. Feel free to contact me, Lisa Longest,at 443-786-4200 or at the office located at 1241 Shopping Center Rd, Stevensville, MD. 21666

Monday, February 7, 2011

Stevensville, MD: Carpet or Hardwood Best for Condo Resale?

Okay, everyone knows we have quite a few condo's and townhouses in Stevensville and surrounding areas. So, I'm getting this question asked often: I am looking to remodel my condo for resale. What is the best for resale value? Hardwood/Laminate, carpet, a little of both?

In my personal and professional opinion, I would chose hardwood flooring. This is why. Most people will replace carpet when they purchase. Plus, carpet seems to wear so poorly, so I'm actually seeing less and less.

I never recommend running tile/travertine/stone throughout a home either, because I think it makes a home cold, in general. Yes, use it in bathrooms, kitchen, and entry way, but that's it. And on this matter, I'm seeing houses with the larger tiles, such as the 24x24 inch,that has a lot of character and looks amazing being used.

So, what kind of wood floors are being used? Wide plank distressed floors, and the stain would depend on how light or dark your home is. In the bedrooms, I believe the wood floors add warmth, as well as value to the home. Don't forget to throw down a throw rug so your toes have something soft to step onto.

I hope this helps. So, if I can be of further assistance, just give me a call, Lisa Longest at 443-786-4200 or stop in and see me at Exit Gold Realty, located at 1241 Shopping Center Rd, Stevensville, MD. 21666. I am a certified Residential Specialist, specializing in the Stevensville, Md and surrounding areas. So let me help you sell your home quickly and for top dollar. Or, if you just want a FREE market analysis, I can do this as well.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Pre-Sale Renovations: Do's and Don'ts

To get right to it...in today's market, expensive pre-sale renovations, for the most part, are not worth it! According to the National Association of REALTORS, the numbers bear this out: "In general, a home remodel will cost quite a bit more than you'll get back when you sell; remodels done in 2010 will only recoup 60% of their price when the house is sold".

What are the two areas that often are remodeled before selling? Right, the kitchen and the bathroom. So lets talk about what to do and what to avoid when considering a pre-sale renovation.

KITCHEN:
DON'T...Put in expensive professional-grade cook's appliances. How do you know the buyer is a cook? They might be take-out addicts.
DON'T...Replace your cabinetry, well not completely. People have different tastes.
DON'T...Go granite crazy. Or marble. Or etched-Murano-glass-accented tile. Get the point yet...People's tastes are different. It's impossible to find one that pleases most people.

DO...Service the appliances you have. If you do have to replace some seriously outdated appliances, replace with those that are $1000 or less. However, if there are any appliances that you don't have that most buyers feel are a must, for example, a dishwasher, then it would make sense to buy one.
DO...Invest in cabinet refacing, IF they are seriously outdated. Many refacing companies will give you a fresh face for well under $2000.
DO...Hire a professional cleaning company to come in and make what you have sparkle, for example, tile floors. The company will not magically make the tile look magazine-worthy, but it will certainly help with discoloration that has occurred from age.

A few more kitchen tips:

Declutter your counter tops. I know from many years of experience, that if the buyers come in and see clutter...they can not look past it, which means they will shake their heads no and move on.

Keep your pantry and cabinets clutter free. Can you imagine a buyer opening a cabinet and something falls out on their head? No thank you....

Give your kitchen table or breakfast bar some life please. It's simple...placemats, a colorful vase, flower arrangement, something
to reinforce the idea that the kitchen is the heart of the home.

BATHROOM:


DON'T...do expensive tub/shower repairs or replacements. Just like the kitchen, this is going to be a matter of taste

DON'T...Replace your smallish vanity with a new, built-in model. It can be quite beautiful for sure, but it's also risky and again, a matter of taste.

DO...Replace dated bath and shower fixtures because this can be done relatively inexpensively. For example, your shower head. If you have a 30-year old, tiny little shower head, do replace that. You can replace it with a large, rainwater-style model that has a subtle spa-like quality without costing a lot.

DO...Freshen up the vanity area. Invest in a big mirror with lights above it. And a few hundred dollars spent on a nice faucet is well worth it also.

A few other tips for the bathroom:

Do you want to add a little life to the walls? Try floating shelves with a few candles. It creates an elegant, boutique touch without the cost.

Want to add color? Throw down a colorful floor mat to add a little warmth.

Please, clear clutter, even your beauty essentials. They should not be left on the counter, especially during an open house.

So, here we have it. It's all about basics. In most homes and markets, this is all you really need to update. Just focus on these items. If you do these few simple tips, they will help in the sale of your home. Of course, you have to have your house priced correctly as well. So, if your ready to put your home on the market, follow these steps and then give me a call. I specialize in Stevensville and surrounding cities. I am a certified residential specialist. Allow me to provide you the skills needed to assist you to sell your home quickly and for top dollar. I'm waiting...Lisa Longest, 443-786-4200. Or visit me at 1241 Shopping Center Rd, Stevensville, MD 21666

Friday, January 28, 2011

Tips For Buying Foreclosures

You know that there are many foreclosures on the market, but you may not know or understand some practical rules that could save you money if you are interested in buying one.
I'm going to list just 5 tips you may want to consider:

1. Work with an agent who has access to foreclosure information. Don't assume that all agents have access to foreclosures, because they don't. Ask the agent if they have experience with them.

2. Bank owned properties generally close faster than short sales. That's because banks will prioritize foreclosures over short sales. They have already repossessed the foreclosed home, thus the name "bank owned". They want to liquidate these properties, which brings us to

3. Always offer less than the asking price. The price listed on a foreclosure price is the same as the asking price for most properties for sale...that is the asking price. Don't assume the prices are firm. Most banks will consider a lower offer.

4. Ask the bank to pay your closing costs. Why not? The worst that can happen is that they will say no. Like I said, the banks want to liquidate these properties, so you may find that they are very accommodating.

5. Get pre-approved from the right bank. If you are making an offer on a bank owned house, it would be good if you could be pre-approved by the same bank. During negotiations, this may tip the scales in your favor.

So there you have it. I hope this helps you in your decision. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me, Lisa Longest, at 443-786-4200 or visit me at Exit Gold Realty 1241 Shopping Center Rd, Stevensville, Md. 21666. I am a short sale and foreclosure representative who specializes in Stevensville and surrounding cities.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Is It A Good Time To Sell Or Should I Wait?

Is now a good time to sell my house or should I wait until house prices go up again? I hear this question often. But this is the answer you should hear from an agent that you pose this question to: Home selling potential always comes down to the nuances of local markets, specific zip code and even specific blocks.

A great location can trump factors like the unemployment rates, low and high mortgage rates,mortgage access, etc. For example, a classic home on a tree-lined block near a school(s) will always be in demand, despite the economy.

Now, are you perhaps concerned about losing more equity if you wait? Odds are good at this point in the cycle that your home has lost most of the value-and equity- it's going to lose, give or take a few percentage points. But again, the value is only what someone is willing to pay for it, not market averages. So, i wouldn't let the anticipation of further losses force your hand. However, if you are planning to hold on to your house and wait for the market to turn to what we saw 5-6 years ago, you're going to be disappointed. Not going to happen.

Now you ask: "When should I sell then?" The stock response is still spring because that's when most buyers emerge. This is largely because it gives families time to plan moves that won't uproot kids from their schools in the middle of the term. However, please note this fact: Today, spring really means "late winter".
If you want to sell next year, have your house on the market and ready for showings by mid-to-late February at the latest. Many potential buyers actually begin their search in this time frame because now they have to consider putting their house on the market so they can buy your house. Everything is relative. It's a fine line to walk, I know.

There is one more option: If you're happy where your living and you don't have to sell, you could simply sit tight for another year or two for additional clarity. After all, a home is a shelter first and an investment second.

With all this said, I am here for you. I specialize in the Stevensville, Md and surrounding areas. If you have any further questions or concerns, either call me, Lisa Longest, at 443-786-4200 or visit me at Exit Gold Realty located at 1241 Shopping Center Rd, Stevensville, Md. 21666. I am certified as a buyers representative, sales specialist, and a short sale and foreclosure representative. Let me be there for you.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Tax Time

As tax time approaches, the more prepared you are to file, the better. So I'm giving you 6 facts the IRS wants you to know about dependents and exemptions that will help you file you r 2010 tax return.

Exemptions reduce your taxable income: There are two types of exemptions: personal exemptions and exemptions for dependents. For each one you can deduct $3650 on your 2010 tax return.

Your spouse is never considered your dependent: On a joint return, you may claim one exemption for yourself and one for your spouse. If you're filing a separate return, you may claim spouse only if they had no gross income, are not filing a joint return and were not the dependent of another taxpayer.

Exemptions for dependents: Generally, you can take an exemption for qualifying children or qualifying relative. You must list the social security number of any dependent you claim.

If someone else claims you as a dependent, you may still be required to file your own tax return: This depends on several factors including the amount of your unearned, earned, or gross income, your marital status, and special taxes.

If you are a dependent, you may not claim an exemption: Period.

Some people cannot be claimed as your dependent:
They must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. resident alien, U.S. national or resident of Canada or Mexico for some part of the year. There is an exception to this rule for certain adopted children.

For more info on exemptions and dependents, you can call 800-829-3676 or see IRS Publication 501.

Now, that I showed you how you might bring home extra money, why not use that money as a deposit on a new home, whether it's your first home, or you're ready to upgrade or downsize.

I would love to be able to assist you in this. So either give me a call at 443-786-4200, stop by Exit Gold Realty, or visit my website at www.mdeasternshorerealtor.com