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
Friday, May 27, 2011
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 Being a slave to fashion: The more up-to-the-minute your project is today, the more out-of-date it will seem in 5-10 years.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
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 Being a slave to fashion: The more up-to-the-minute your project is today, the more out-of-date it will seem in 5-10 years.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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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