Well first I should apologize for my absence!  Contrary to what the media is telling all of us, the Real Estate market is moving quite well and I have several listings (see below) AND closings in the coming weeks!  Here is a great Washington Post article about the Washington, DC area housing market, and some of the ways of taking advantage of it.
 
It is a great time to buy, and I encourage anyone who is even remotely considering a move to contact me right away.

There is a lot going on in the Annapolis area these days and great reasons to consider a move. Major improvements to our city and surrounding area are underway!  Check out the new and exciting shops at the Westfield Annapolis Shopping Mall. Not to mention the Annapolis Towne Centre nearing completion.  These projects are a great addition to our city, and Anne Arundel County as a whole.

Take the opportunity to benefit from low interest rates and a great inventory to choose from.  I am a click or a phone call (410-353-2123) away!

-Amy

Annual 4^th of July Parade in Epping Forest which winds through the gated neighborhood, around the community circle, and down to the beach and club house where a BBQ awaits.

Many will enjoy the fireworks display in Sherwood Forest from their Severn River waterfront homes or boats.

Other options include the Historic Downtown Community Parade and  Fireworks display from the United States Naval Academy. Always a hit!

 Here is a list of other Fireworks displays, courtesy of http://www.annapolisjobs.com:

• Annapolis: About 9:15 p.m. July 4th. Rain date: July 5th.

• Arnold: Dusk tomorrow at AACC's Siegert Field. Rain date: Sunday.

• Baltimore, Inner Harbor: 9:30 p.m. July 4th.

• Bowie, Allen Pond Park: Darkness July 4th.

• Chesapeake Beach: Dusk July 3rd.

• Chester, Chesapeake Exploration Center: Dusk July 3rd. Rain date: July 5th.

• Chestertown, off Wilmer Park: 9 p.m. July 4th.

• Fort Meade, Parade Field: 9:30 p.m. July 4th.

• Gibson Island: 9 p.m. July 4th.

• Glen Burnie, Sawmill Creek Park: 9 p.m. July 3th.

• Herrington Harbour South Marina, Friendship: Dusk July 5th.

• Ocean City, Northside Park, 127th Street: 9:30 p.m. July 4th.

• Ocean City, on the beach at North Division Street: 9:30 p.m. July 4th.

• North Beach: Dusk July 3rd.

• Prince George's Stadium, Bowie: July 4th after the Bowie Baysox game.

• Rock Hall: Dusk July 3rd.

• Severn Christian Church, 8132 New Cut Road, Severn: 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Rain date: July 6.

• Sherwood Forest: Dusk July 3rd.

• Six Flags America, Largo: Evening of July 4th (requires park admission).

• Solomon's Island: Dusk July 4th.

• South River, across from Quiet Waters Park: 9 p.m. July 12th. Private fund-raiser to honor Sandy Lofgren-Sargent's late son, Rick.

• Washington, D.C.: Washington Monument grounds: 9:20 p.m. July 4th.

Enjoy!!!

We all hear about the doldrums of this economy and the real estate market specifically, but what that means if you are considering a new home is you are in the driver’s seat! There is a huge amount of inventory and rates are great!  Don’t let the media scare you…take advantage of the situation and think about moving-up to an Annapolis waterfront or water oriented community!

Here it is, Friday of Memorial Day weekend and this is my first Blog. Other agents have told me the benefits of blogging, but usually I am too busy showing property, taking pictures, shuttling my children from here to there to think about blogging. But today is different, today I have something I wish to share, today I am mad!

I got into Real Estate at the best possible time. Tremendous growth, excitement and money to be made. I left a 20 year career as an Executive Recruiter, or Head Hunter, in my case HeadHuntress! The transition was easy. I had the negotiating skills, marketing was fun and easy and I love helping people. Real Estate is a natural progression. So, what is making me mad? Are you curious?

I am upset at the media's blame of the banking industry, the real estate industry for today's short sales and foreclosures. Here is what I am seeing folks. First off, if someone did buy at the height of the market, 2005 and must sell now, I feel bad for them. And about 10-20% of the sad situations are just that. Bad timing. Can't get out of a house without bringing money to the table. Ouch! But what about the 80-90%, what is up with them?

I'd like to explain. Several years ago, the government stopped allowing credit card and car interest loans to be deducted just like mortgage interest. For those of you who are too young to remember, let's call them the good ole days. Once that deduction was eliminated, smart accountants and homeowners did what any red blooded American Tax Avoiding Citizen would do. He rolled his Car, Boat, Credit Cards, Student Loans, Tuition Payments, vacations and flat screen TV's into yes...you are starting to understand, their mortgage! And with housing costs going up, why not. Banks are offering 100% financing. You could even use the equity in your house and buy another house. Maybe 2 more houses! You can have it now! Don't wait. Refinance.

Guess what? All was going fine until the property values fell, just a little at first. And the consumer realized with the help of the media, that this situation that they find themselves is not their fault. Nope. The big bad banker made me do it! And the short sale came into full glorious bloom. Believe me, I have seen enough bad loans with 2nd mortgages at 12% to know that there was plenty of preying on the consumer. However, I also know that with the short sale and foreclosures that the banks and the taxpayers are paying for plenty of great toys, vacations and education that is not the fault of the housing values.

Okay, Amy, you ask, but how do we fix it? Love to have your input on that one. Part of me thinks that getting into a house at 95% with very little personal investment seems a bit risky. But those first time home owners need a little help. After all, first time homes in our area is around 300k. My idea is that refinancing rules should be stricter never allowing the homeowner to mortgage their debt at more than a 80-85% debt to value. But that is going to take something the American public has little regard: Self control! The get it now attitude needs to stop. One needs to learn to live within their means.

Little things can really add up. Our economy is fueled, dare I use that word, by a buy it now, pay it later mentality. Look at the Federal deficit spending! The next generation needs to learn from the mistakes of this economic backfire. We hopefully will learn and be stronger for it in the future. Now THAT is the American way, isn't it?

Okay, I feel better now. I have said my peace. I know I may have upset some of you 10% ers. For you, this market truly is terrible. Stick it out! Don't give up hope. Rent out a room. My grandparents certainly did that. Don't give up your house, this economy will turn for the better!

For you waiting in the wings, find a house, make an offer. There are great bargains to be had. Use your head, use a realtor, and go get yourself a great deal!