July 2nd, 2009
Ann Arundel County has made it illegal to panhandle at intersections. This will be a welcome relief to all of us who shop at Sam’s Club in Laurel Maryland. Every time I am at the intersection of 198 and East Russett, I have to deal with panhandlers.
These pandhandlers are not only annoying but dangerous to those of us in Laurel Md. Traffic gets distracted at the sight of these people in the middle of an intersection. Someone, including a panhandler, could get seriously injured.
As a realtor, I can tell you this kind of activity can have a negative impact on Laurel real estate.
However, thanks to Maryland Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk and Maryland Del. Pamela Biddle, this eyesore and safety issue has been eliminated. Their hard work push this bill through in Ann Arundel County.
Laurel Maryland today is a better community now that this new law is in place.
For more information on Maryland neighborhoods, visit Maryland real estate.
Tags: Laurel real estate, Maryland real estate, Russett
Posted in 20724, Ann Arundel County, Maryland real estate, Maryland real estate agents | 2 Comments »
June 30th, 2009
Getting back to my post of a couple of days ago about the teacher looking to buy some Laurel real estate.
As I stated previously, my buyer found a home in the Mayfair subdivision of Laurel. The home had extensive damage and was being offered at an extremely low price.
My buyer and I roughly estimated it would probably not cost more than $50,000 to renovate the home and make it insurable by FHA loan standards.
If the home could be made insurable for $50,000 or less, then the total loan amount on an offer of $140,000 would be $190,000. This figure my buyer could afford.
An offer was made of $125,000 was made by the buyer. In addition, the purchase was still contingent on the value of the home after all estimates for work have been completed.
This is an important point. Once the bank and the seller agreed on a price and terms, the home needed to be inspected by a person who would know the cost to make the home insurable by FHA guidelines.
There is a person who is a licensed HUD inspector. The bank wants this person to inspect the home to see if it can be repaired within the terms of the contract. If the home can not be repair within the terms of the contract, the buyer and seller can re-negotiate, or the buyer can leave the contract.
Tomorrow, I will tell you what the licensed HUD inspector found and how much he thought it would cost.
For more information on Maryland homes for sale, visit Maryland real estate
Tags: Laurel foreclosures, Laurel real estate, Maryland real estate
Posted in Laurel, Maryland, Maryland real estate, Maryland real estate agents, Prince Georges County, Short Sale, first time home buyer, foreclosures, loan programs, mortgages, real estate | No Comments »
June 27th, 2009
Thanks to the listserv for the following list of events in Laurel for the fourth of July.
Don’t forget to join in on the fun for Independence Day…. Here is the schedule for next weekends events…
Friday July 3rd 2009
a.. 9:30am Parade Line Up – 6th & Montgomery Streets
Antique and Classic Car Line-Up at 8th and Montgomery St.
a.. 11:00am Horseshoe contest – Gude Park (Laurel Lakes)
a.. 11:00am PARADE – Judging Stand – 4th Street in front of upper deck parking
a.. 1:00pm – 3:00pm FIELD EVENTS – for Children 12 and Under
a.. 3:15pm GRAND OPENING -
Flag Raising/Pledge/National Anthem
Invocation – Rev. Warren Litchfield
a.. 4:00pm Reading of Parade Awards and Acknowledgments
a.. 5:00pm – 9:15pm Band – Oracle
a.. 7:00pm Mayor & Council Members – Welcome and Introductions Grand Marshals Recognized
a.. 7:15pm Acknowledgments and Committee’s Awards
a.. 9:15pm FIREWORKS from the Lake
If you are considering buying a home in Laurel Md, visit Maryland real estate
Tags: fireworks Laurel, laurel lake, laurel lakes
Posted in Historic Laurel, Maryland, Maryland real estate, Maryland real estate agents, Prince Georges County, first time home buyer, foreclosures | No Comments »
June 25th, 2009
For the savvy buyer of Laurel real estate, there are some great deals in Laurel Maryland.
About a month ago I was showing a teacher some properties in and around Laurel. There was a home in the Mayfair development for $140,000. If you know the Mayfair subdivision located right next to the Laurel Beltsville Regional Hospital just off of Contee Road, you know that is a great price.
In the Mayfair subdivision of Laurel Md., most large three bedroom homes are still selling in the mid to high two hundred thousands. So $140K attracted my buyers attention.
As you might have guessed this three level town home with three bedrooms and two full baths and two half baths needed work…..lots of work.
The home had water damage, mold, plumbing problems, roof damage, and drywall issues. Some buyers, would not even think of making an offer on this house.
My buyer, love it!
She made an offer contingent on a 203K rehab loan. If the repair work fell within what she qualified for, she could buy the house and have it fixed-up to her specifications.
The 203K rehab loan allows a first time buyer to purchase a home that needs lots of work and have the cost of the repairs as part of the mortgage. The home most appraise at a value that encompasses the repair loan.
I will go into more detail about the process of this particular sale in Laurel Maryland’s Mayfair community tomorrow.
For more information about homes in Laurel, visit Maryland real estate.
Tags: Laurel Md 203K, Laurel Md foreclosures, Maryland real estate
Posted in 20707, 20708, Laurel, Maryland, Maryland real estate, Maryland real estate agents, Prince Georges County, Short Sale, first time home buyer, foreclosures, loan programs, mortgages, real estate | No Comments »
June 23rd, 2009
| 2009 |
2008 |
% Change |
| Total Sold Dollar Volume: |
$ 2,966,200 |
$ 2,810,222 |
5.55 % |
| Average Sold Price: |
$ 296,620 |
$ 351,278 |
- 15.56 % |
| Median Sold Price: |
$ 272,901 |
$ 341,211 |
- 20.02 % |
| Total Units Sold: |
10 |
8 |
25.00 % |
| Average Days on Market: |
132 |
160 |
- 17.50 % |
| Average List Price for Solds: |
$ 331,060 |
$ 374,827 |
- 11.68 % |
Avg Sale Price as a
percentage of Avg List Price: |
89.60 % |
93.72 % |
The statistics above are for Laurel Maryland 20708. This part of Laurel real estate border the other Prince Georges County Laurel zip code 20707.
The numbers compare this May 2009 with last May 2008. As you can see, both the average sold price and the medium sold price dropped over 15% from last year.
However, more homes sold in May 2009 than in May 2008. Another significant note, it took four weeks less to sell a home this May as compared to last May.
Perhaps an even more telling statistic, not noted above, is that more homes were sold or went under contract this May than were new listings. Twenty new homes came on the market, but twenty one homes were sold or pending.
In Laurel Maryland, the bottom of the market is in sight.
For more information about Laurel Md, visit Maryland real estate.
Tags: Laurel home sales, Laurel MD home sales, Laurel Md real estate
Posted in 20707, 20708, Historic Laurel, Laurel, Maryland, Maryland real estate, Maryland real estate agents, Montpelier, Montpelier Elementary, Prince Georges County, Short Sale, first time home buyer, foreclosures, real estate | No Comments »
June 22nd, 2009
| 2009 |
2008 |
% Change |
| Total Sold Dollar Volume: |
$ 7,276,450 |
$ 6,037,220 |
20.53 % |
| Average Sold Price: |
$ 259,873 |
$ 274,419 |
- 5.30 % |
| Median Sold Price: |
$ 229,950 |
$ 244,950 |
- 6.12 % |
| Total Units Sold: |
28 |
22 |
27.27 % |
| Average Days on Market: |
114 |
105 |
8.57 % |
| Average List Price for Solds: |
$ 285,211 |
$ 297,590 |
- 4.16 % |
Avg Sale Price as a
percentage of Avg List Price: |
91.12 % |
92.21 % |
Above are the statistics for Laurel real estate zip code 20707.
Some important indicators to note are the average sold price and the median sold price. Both categories show a decline of just over five percent. This is good for both buyers and sellers of Laurel Maryland real estate.
For buyers, this shows that property values are still dropping. However, the numbers are good for sellers as well because the decline is not as steep as in the past couple of years.
For sellers of Laurel Md real estate the average days on market is also significant. There is only a slight increase in this number as well. In most areas of the Baltimore and Washington housing market Inventories are shrinking and the number of days it takes to sell a property are decreasing as well.
For more information about Laurel real estate, visit Maryland real estate.
Tags: Laurel home sales, Laurel Maryland home sales, Laurel real estate
Posted in 20707, Historic Laurel, Laurel, Maryland, Maryland real estate, Maryland real estate agents, Prince Georges County, Short Sale, first time home buyer, foreclosures, west laurel | No Comments »
June 16th, 2009
Bond Mill Elementary School in Laurel Maryland is having it’s 40th sixth grade graduation today. My daughter is in this class.
This will be the last sixth grade graduation from Bond Mill Elementary for the foreseeable future. Next year, Bond Mill’s sixth grade will be in middle school. Because of a Prince Georges County reorganizing, Bond Mill will be Kindergarten through fifth grade only.
But back to my daughter. We moved to Bounds Ave in West Laurel about four years ago. Our daughter has attended Bond Mill Elementary since the third grade. She and we have enjoyed her time at the school. The teachers have been fantastic and the principal, Justin Fitzgerald has been great.
Our daughter has participated in numerous activities at the school including, drama, dance, choir, and numerous talent shows. She has been a peer counselor. She has been on the math team. Our daughter along with my wife, has helped put together the year books.
The parent participation at Bond Mill Elementary has been wonderful.
I have written numerous times about Bond Mill Elementary in my blog, it hard to believe I wont be writing about it any more. Actually, I am sure I will continue to write about it because it is such a hub of our community here in West Laurel Maryland.
Congratulations to both the fifth and sixth graders on your promotion.
Tags: Bond Mill Elementary, Laurel elementary schools, West Laurel MD
Posted in 20707, Bond Mill Elemetary, Historic Laurel, Laurel, Maryland, Maryland real estate, Maryland real estate agents, Prince Georges County, School Boundaries, Seniors, Short Sale, first time home buyer, foreclosures, real estate, west laurel | No Comments »
June 13th, 2009
One of the many reasons I am glad I purchased Laurel real estate, is the sense of community in Laurel Maryland.
Last night the restaurant Cactus Willies Pizza Buffet, located at 14933 Baltimore Ave in Laurel Maryland, held a fundraiser for Bond Mill Elementary. Ten percent of every check would be donated to the school.
It was nice to walk in and see familiar faces of Bond Mill Elementary parents and students.
Cactus Willies Pizza Buffet offers a buffet of several items. The buffet included many choices of pizza, spaghetti, noodles, vegetables, salad, french fries, deserts and more. All for a very affordable price.
Cactus Willies is a good, cost effective place to take the family.
Cactus Willies in Laurel Maryland is also owned by a Bond Mill Elementary Parent.
Good food, good fellowship and a good cause in Laurel Maryland.
For more information about laurel, visit Laurel Maryland real estate.
Tags: Bond Mill Elementary, laurel maryland restaurants, Laurel real estate
Posted in 20707, 20708, Bond Mill Elemetary, Historic Laurel, Laurel, Maryland, Maryland real estate, Maryland real estate agents, Montpelier, Prince Georges County, Seniors, Short Sale, first time home buyer, foreclosures, real estate, west laurel | No Comments »
June 12th, 2009
The past couple of days I have driven by Laurel Lakes, I noticied an impressive display of flags near the water. I thought they looked great, but I wondered what the reason was for the display.
Well, leave it up to the West Laurel MD list serve to cue me in:
This weekend, the American Legion Auxiliary Laurel Unit 60 in conjuction with the City of Laurel, will have a display of American flags at Laurel Lakes. This display will honor those who serve in the armed forces from the Laurel area, veterans past and present, and the police, fire and rescue personnel who make our city safe.
The display will consist of approximaelty 30 flags on 8 foot staffs mounted at Laurel Lake. The flags will remain posted for the entire weekend.
On Saturday June 13th at 7:00pm, there will be a short program culminating with the Ceremonial Disposal of Unusable Flags with full honors. Hope to see you there!
Isn’t this great! I think it is wonderful the City of Laurel Maryland is participating in this. My dad served in World War II and my brother is an ex-marine. I am very proud of the brave men and women who have served in the armed services. They need to be honored on a consistent basis.
The flag display also serves to recognize firemen, policemen and rescue personel. All are very deserving.
This display is another great thing about living in Laurel Maryland. I like that my city feels it is important enough to make sure these veterans get recognized.
For more information about Laurel Maryland, visit Laurel real estate.
Tags: city of laurel md, laurel lakes, laurel veterans
Posted in 20707, 20708, Historic Laurel, Laurel, Maryland, Maryland real estate, Maryland real estate agents, Montpelier, Prince Georges County, Short Sale, first time home buyer, foreclosures, real estate, west laurel | No Comments »
June 8th, 2009
West Laurel’s Mary Lehman is running for Prince Georges County Council District 1.
I have know Mary for the past several years. My daughter and Mary’s daughter are friends from Bond Mill Elementary School. Mary’s daughter is a wonderful young lady and we enjoy having her visit our home.
Mary has been involved in the local political scene for some time in Laurel Maryland. She was instrumental in the successful campaign of Josline Pena-Melnyk. May Lehman has also been President of the West Laurel Community Association. She is very active on the West Laurel Md list serve.
Mary has also put me in touch with resources that have been helpful to me in real estate matters. She has always been quick with an answer to various community matters.
Mary Lehman clearly loves her community in West Laurel Maryland.
You can often see Mary at the Bond Mill Elementary School for various events.
I think Mary Lehman would be great on the Prince Georges County Council District 1. I don’t know that Laurel Maryland could have a better community servant representing them.
If you feel so inclined, you can send a donation to:
Citizens for Mary Lehman, P.O. Box 376, Laurel MD 20725
For more information on Laurel Maryland real estate, visit Maryland Homes for sale.
Tags: Mary Lehman, Prince Georges County Districk 1, west laurel
Posted in 20707, 20708, Bond Mill Elemetary, Historic Laurel, Konterra, Laurel, Laurel Boys and Girls Club, Laurel Center Mall, Laurel Commons Mall, Laurel High School, Martin Luther King Middle school, Maryland, Maryland real estate, Maryland real estate agents, McCullough Field, Pallotti, Prince Georges County, School Boundaries, Seniors, Short Sale, Slots, St. Vincent Pallotti, first time home buyer, foreclosures, real estate, west laurel | No Comments »