David & Lisa 's Blog

Galesville Treasure - Pirate's Cove Restaurant

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 15:33:09 -0700

We had a fun adventure in the small, waterfront town of Galesville this week! Galesville is located in Southern Anne Arundel County near Shady Side. It's off the West Rier which is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay and a nice, afternoon trip from Annapolis by boat. Pirate's Cove Restaurant and Dock Bar is located right at the Pirate's Cove Marina, which has 80 slips. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating areas as well as a large bar where they regularly have live music and entertainment. There are some friendly Pirates that greet you at the front door as you come into the indoor restaurant. The menu is chock-ful of delicious seafood appetizers and entrees and everything sounds so good that it's hard to make a decision! There are also choices for people who don't like or can't eat seafood, like pasta, salads, steaks and flatbreads. Being native Marylanders, we obviously were more interested in the seafood choices. For appetizers we chose the calamari which was the best calamari I've ever tried. It is called Pacific loligo calimari, sliced thick, not too chewy, soft and lightly breaded. They served it with marinara sauce but I didn't even dip them because they were perfect as is! Another appetizer we tried was the Oysters Rockefeller and you could tell the oysters were super fresh. I chose the crabcake platter because I'm obsessed with crabcakes. The crabcake was delicious, not the best I've ever had but it was very good and I'd certainly order it again. The potatoes were nicely seasoned as were the veggies. Dave chose the scallops as usual and was not disappointed! They were large and meaty, pan seared and looked really good. There was so much food that there's no chance we could fit desert but we did meander over to the bar area which was open and spacious with friendly servers. We really enjoyed our visit and plan on going again and trying something else, maybe the Butter Broiled Seafood Bake or the Broiled Seafood Platter? Yum! ************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

Multiple Offers in the Fall - YES!

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 07:12:06 -0700

2019 is another excellent year in the central Maryland real estate market. To get top dollar, the house definitely needs to be in top condition, staged and marketed properly and competitively priced. Just this month: 1905 Norwich Road in Glen Burnie received 3 offers in 2 days! The sellers moved out of state and left the house vacant except for a couple couches so we came in and staged it, bringing in furniture, accessories, and replacing heavy curtains with sheers. The contract is for top dollar in the area due in part to condition and also partly due to the low inventory in the area for nice, reasonably priced single family homes. 2342 Westport Lane in Crofton received 3 offers in 3 days! The sellers remodeled this home over the last few years and meticulously staged and cleaned it. We are under contract at a record price for the neighborhood for this type of home! 232 Candle Light Lane in Glen Burnie received 2 offers in 4 days! These sellers updated the home over the last few years, freshly painting, adding new carpet, then cleaning and staging it for sale. They had a separate dining area, removed the desk and we brought in a dining set to stage it. We were priced at the top of the market for this neighborhood but buyers saw the value of a move-in ready home. There is still time to take advantage of the great Fall Real Estate Market. Each sale is different and each home has different attributes to highlight. Schedule your consultation so we can walk you through the process of staging to sell and getting you top dollar! ************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

How Do I Respond to a Low Offer?

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:48:14 -0800

Sometimes sellers choose to price their houses high for the current market and they sit for awhile. Sometimes when they sit, buyers think they are becoming desperate and want to submit a really low offer. Othertimes you have buyers who just want to make sure they are getting a good deal and not leaving any money on the table. How do you respond when a buyer submits a low offer? Some sellers get angry. Why would you get angry when receiving an offer on your house? If you have a person that has come into your house, walked through it, and likes it more than any other house that is on the market, takes the time to think of and prepare an offer for your house, that means they really like your house! Instead of being upset over a low offer, be happy that someone likes the house enough to write an offer! I've never had a seller do this, but we just received this response to an offer that my buyer submitted: The problem with this OFFER REJECTED response is the seller had no idea how high my buyers would have gone if they had just countered. The house has been on the market for 90 days with no price reduction and it's priced too high. They feel it's worth what they are asking, but the market is telling them that it is priced too high because they don't have an offer. Now the sellers will never know how much my clients will pay because they are moving on to the next house. This house is a nice place, but there will be others. There are very few unique homes on the market and there are always more that will come available. Every offer should be the beginning of a conversation. Our job as professional Realtors is to help with that negotiation and try to come to a meeting of the minds. This particular offer was submitted on Sunday afternoon and was not presented until today - TUESDAY - by the listing agent. The agent casually told me that when receiving the offer. Maybe he didn't like it? No rush? This house has been on the market for 90 days with no offers or price adjustments. I know they don't have to get asking because I know their payoff amount (a good agent does their research), but I also understand that they want a certain amount. I know the house is vacant and seeing the multiple refinances, I would assume they are not independently wealthy and are paying that high mortgage every month the house sits vacant. We had one case where we represented the seller who was selling a townhouse and it was the nicest in the neighborhood. They were asking $275k and we got an offer in for $230k. Instead of rejecting the offer, the sellers countered at $269k and you know what happened? The buyers ACCEPTED THE COUNTER. The buyers assumed because we countered only a small amount, that this was likely as much as they were going to get and it was a reasonable price for the house. What does it hurt to counter a low offer? If you're on the market more than a month without a price reduction, the market is telling you the price is too high unless it's a really unusual home (small potential buyer pool) or a very slow market. Don't counter a lot if you don't want to, just give something to keep the conversation going and see if you can make a deal. If you're listed at $400k and you get an offer of $350k and you have decided that you'll only come down to $390k, then counter at $390k. If they counter back, tell them that's the best you can do, maybe offer a home warranty and see what the response is. At least you'll know that you had the conversation and you might even make a SALE! ************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

CORAL - Pantone's Color Of The Year

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:32:44 -0800

Pantone just came out with their "Color of the Year" and this year they chose Coral. Initially I wasn't sure how I felt about it, looking at their color pallettes: https://www.pantone.com/color-intelligence/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2019-palette-exploration It seems like so many people are still painting their homes gray and coral isn't a color that I would think is a natural go-to for gray, but when looking at more muted corals mixed with gray, I think it ccould be a fresh look. Maybe a pair of coral armchairs in your living room? I found these on Hayneedle: Or this coral comforter set from Wayfair that coordinates nicely with the grey headboard: Furry coral throw pillows for your sofa from World Market? Maybe coral is a nice, unexpected shot of color for a new feeling throughout your house? We may have to add these to our staging portfolio. What do you think about Coral - yay or nay?************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

What's the Best Time to Sell My House?

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 17:32:13 -0800

Did you know the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day has more people downloading real estate apps than any other week? It sure makes sense if you think about all the electronics that people receive as gifts. People who are planning on buying during the spring start or continue their research right after Christmas and providing the weather is decent, they are hitting the street after New Years. We've noticed in and around the Baltimore-Washingon area in the last few years, one of the busiest times is the very early spring. This graph from Zillow shows the times when sellers are getting above asking in different markets. Appraisals can be challenging when this happens, but that's a whole other conversation. We work in both the Baltimore and Washington suburbs (Crofton is considered Baltimore suburb for financing, but right south of us, Prince Georges and Calvert are Washington) and as you can see from this table, sellers get more multiple offers and are more likely to sell for over-ask between February and May, yet every year, most sellers are waiting until April or May to sell. Smart sellers this year will be getting their homes on themarket right after New Years! ************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

FOR SALE - 367 Dublin Road, Glen Burnie, MD 21060

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 07:24:57 -0800

Gorgeous Split Level

Overview Maps Photos Description

$255,000

Single Family Home

Main Features

2 Bedrooms2 Full BathroomsInterior: 1,752 sqftYear Built: 1984MLS #: 1009991056

Location

367 Dublin RoadGlen Burnie, MD 21060USA

David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242webberteam@aol.comhttp://www.webberteam.com Listed by: RE/MAX Executive

Our recent listings Gorgeous Colonial | $549,998 | Glenn Dale, MDWinchester Estates Colonial | $524,900 | Arnold, MDGorgeous Remodeled Crofton Condo! | $205,000 | Crofton, MDHidden Gem! | $524,900 | Gambrills, MDAll The Bells and Whistles! | $372,500 | Odenton, MD

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************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

367 Dublin Road, Glen Burnie, MD 21060

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 07:24:38 -0800

Gorgeous Split Level

Overview Maps Photos Description

$255,000

Single Family Home

Main Features

2 Bedrooms2 Full BathroomsInterior: 1,752 sqftYear Built: 1984MLS #: 1009991056

Location

367 Dublin RoadGlen Burnie, MD 21060USA

David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242webberteam@aol.comhttp://www.webberteam.com Listed by: RE/MAX Executive

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But I'm on Zillow... Why are only Realtors calling me?

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 12:15:35 -0700

This is a common problem with people who try to sell their homes by themselves. When they get calls from Realtors looking to list their homes for sale they say, well I am listed, I'm listed on Zillow! For Sale by Owner! Zillow is actually an advertiser, not a "listing" company. What Zillow does is work on getting data - listings - to advertise to potential buyers - to sell those leads to Realtors. You know why you can list your house for FREE on Zillow? Because Zillow is selling the advertising placement to other Realtors. When buyers are interested in your house, that lead, many times if not most of the time, that person is going to a Realtor. The Realtor, realistically, is thinking if I call this person, am I going to get paid? Is this going to be a difficult transaction because I'm dealing directly with the owner? Will it be easier to take this buyer to the house down the street and work with a professional, where I know I will be paid and the transaction will be smoother? Don't get me wrong, there are some people who this does work for. According to the National Association of Realtors, approximately 8% of home sales are sold by their owners without using a Realtor! The average price of a home sold directly by the owner is $190,000 and the average price of a home sold by a Realtor is $249,000 or about 23.5% LESS than when using a Realtor. "Saving commission" is the most common reason people want to sell their houses themselves, but on average, they are NETTING about 17% LESS MONEY. There are many things that make it difficult: Determining the sales price, understanding and obtaining the proper/required paperwork, selling within the planned amount of time, preparing/fixing up the home for sale, and having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale. I just spoke with a woman this week who has been trying to sell her house for months by herself and it sounds like she may have talked a couple buyers out of buying it. A seller should not be dealing directly with the buyers and their agents. Realtors are SHARKS! I mean, we are professionals! It's very easy for sellers to inadvertently say something to either prevent an offer, derail the transaction, or get less money because of things they say. If you've been trying to sell your house yourself unsuccessfully, you owe it to yourself to consult with a Realtor. In the Central Maryland area, we offer free consultations if you'd like a second opinion. If you aren't experienced in Real Estate sales, you may want to use a professional and put that extra 17% in your pocket in the meantime!************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

Maryland Still Has a LOT of Foreclosures - Short Sale Option?

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 12:27:12 -0700

We have enjoyed a huge amount of recovery in our great state of Maryland but we are still towards the front of the pack when it comes to foreclosures; 1 out of every 918 units as of August 2018. Many of these foreclosures can be handled through a short sale which allows a person to sell their house with dignity and not have to go through the foreclosure process. We have a streamlined process to help our clients through this hard time with the minimum amount of stress and no expense to them. The attorney we use does not require payment from the seller or the buyer and only accepts the amount the bank pays them. This allows us to more effectively market the home to buyers because it keeps their out-of-pocket costs down. Oh and the bank also pays all the real estate commission! We have this beautiful 2 year old townhouse under contract currently and it's in a short sale position due to health issues with the seller. There are a multitude of reasons why someone might be underwater with their mortgage but still need to make a move - medical/health, job loss, divorce, relocation requirement for work, etc. Banks also prefer people do a short sale rather than let the house go to foreclosure because it nets them the most money and keep the property off their REO books. If you know or hear of anyone who might be in a situation like this in Maryland, please give them our information or give us theirs and we'll contact them right away and see if we can help them short sale their house rather than let it go to foreclosure. ************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

Foreclosures are at a 12 year low....... BUT .......

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 08:28:37 -0700

I was just reading this article that is celebrating the fact that foreclosures are at a 12 year low. This is wonderful news!!!! Foreclosures at 12 year low! But there are still things that life throws at people: Separation, Divorce, Illness, Job Loss, Death - all of these things and more can cause people to get behind on their mortgage payments. Just this week we found out that a friend of ours house went into foreclosure and they didn't tell us. We totally understand why a person wouldn't want anyone to know that they are behind on their payments because it is a hard time in life and it's embarassing. Don't be embarassed around us. This is our job and we help people in these situations every day! We just had a client who didn't want to mess up his credit because he wants to buy a new home and had to bring $32,000 to the settlement table! Most people don't have that kind of money hanging around though. The reason we were sad to see our friend's house go to foreclosure is two-fold: in this particular case, he could have potentially gotten money out of it if he sold it, and if he had told us, we could have had our attorney negotiate with the bank and do a short sale for him which isn't as damaging to your credit and shows up as a satisfied debt. We've seen people in the past that get so depressed over not being able to keep up with their payments that they can't really think straight. One woman could have had over $60,000 in her pocket after all expenses and I told her this several times, but I think she was overwhelmed and didn't want to face reality. The bank ended up taking her home and she ended up without all that money. Some people don't realize that their house is worth more than they thought and they might break even or make money on it. If you are having difficulties with making your payments, please just reach out. If you have a family membe ror friend that you know is having a hard time, just email or call and we'll see if there is a way we can help. Our interactions with our clients are confidential and it is our job to help you get through tough times in the best, easiest way possible. Don't be a statistic - there are ways to either modify your mortgage loan, or do a short sale and leave on your terms, rather than waiting for the bank to come and change the locks! ************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

Coming Soon - 1490 Kingsway Court, Gambrills, MD 21054

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:50:38 -0700

Hidden Gem!

Overview Maps Photos Description Neighborhood

$524,900

Single Family Home

Main Features

5 Bedrooms3 Full BathroomsInterior: 2,820 sqftLot: 1.79 acre(s)Year Built: 1977MLS #: AA10184008

Location

1599 Kingsway CourtGambrills, MD 21054USA

David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242webberteam@aol.comhttp://www.webberteam.com Listed by: David Webber, RE/MAX Executive

Our recent listings Hidden Gem! | $524,900 | Gambrills, MDAll The Bells and Whistles! | $372,500 | Odenton, MDPicture Perfect Rancher | $269,900 | Pasadena, MDThe Cream of the Crop! | $539,900 | Crofton, MDSingle Family Residential | $229,000 | SEVERN, MD

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But I Saw Rates Much Lower Than That On The Internet!

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 09:56:25 -0800

As I'm answering emails, this ad from Lending Tree pops up: Note the date on the bottom - February 26th. First thing consumers need to know is that Lending Tree is NOT A LENDER! Lending Tree is an ADVERTISER. What they do is push ads like the one above, making you it appear that 3.18% is a normal rate. IF you can actually get 3.18%, you will pay a lot of money up front to "buy down" that rate. You will not get a 3.18% loan today for a 15 year mortgage without paying points. Lending Tree advertises ridiculously low (fake?) interest rates so that you will click on the link, give them your information and then they will give your information to 4 or so different lenders. Then the lenders try to be the first to reply and get you talking so that you will use them for your loan. They will get your information and say, "Oh I'm sorry Mr. Smith, you don't qualify for this rate because of XYZ, but you do qualify for this...." It's important to know this because legitimate lenders will tell you what your options are and explain how the loans work and what interest rates they can get you at that time based on your work history, income, and credit score. Interest rates are up about 1% higher than they were, say 6 weeks ago or so. Most of my FHA/VA buyers are being quoted just under 5%. If you have a lower credit score or any other issues that make you a higher risk, you might have a 5.5% interest rate. If you are doing a conventional loan, have an 800 credit score and have the cash to pay 3% in points to buy down the loan, you might see a 3 in the front. ** We are not lenders obviously but can refer you to several good ones that are local, real people that you can sit down in front of and ask questions rather than some 800 number where you're talking with a random person. Your loan rate cannot be locked in until you have a ratified contract so if you are at the point where you are choosing lenders and comparing rates, call each lender the SAME DAY so you are comparing apples to apples. And don't call Lending Tree unless you want a bunch of random people calling you trying to sell you. You're much better off working with a referral that your Realtor or someone you know has used successfully. ** We are not lenders and are not trying to quote any type of rates. Please check rates with your licensed mortgage originator or broker.************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

NEW Construction in Gambrills, MD - The Ridings At North Branch

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 09:28:24 -0800

I know what you're thinking - why more homes in an already overbuilt area??? The Crofton, Maryland area has been built up tremendously since we moved here back in 1996. Heck, Crofton Farms was still an actual farm! The small-town feel of the town, excellent schools and low crime, proximity to Washington, DC, Baltimore, Annapolis, and Ft. Meade, have made Crofton a very sought after area to live. With the influx of people over the last 20+ years has also come more schools to support the growing population, including the Crofton High School that is being built now, plus new shopping centers and activities. Builders have been trying to secure any land that they can in order to build new homes to support this growing population. If you've driven down Underwood Road lately, you'll see a lot of equipment and clearing where the horse farm used to be. The zipcode for this area is actually 21054 or Gambrills, but it feels like Crofton because it is right behind Crofton - you can walk to Crofton Middle School and the new high school easily from here! This area is going to be a new development, built by Toll Brothers. There will be 42 luxury single family homes offering 3400-4300 square feet of living space (plus basement), before structural options (bump-outs, elevation choice). Each home site will be about 1/2 an acre is size on average and will back to woods, open spaces or open pastures. The schools that kids in this neighborhood will go to are Crofton Meadows Elementary, Crofton Middle School,, and then Crofton High School starting in 2020 when it is open. Sales should be starting this Spring 2018 with the first settlements in late 2018 or early 2019. These homes will be priced from the $700,000s - told you they are luxury! If you'd like us to keep you informed about this neighborhood or anything else that is going on in Crofton, email us at webberteam@aol.com or call/text 410-320-0242. ************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

Evaluate with a Professional Before Proceeding

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 17:25:36 -0800

I was speaking with a friend recently about her parents home. The mortgage was only in the Dad's name who has passed away but her Mom was on the house. She was planning on walking away but then thought that maybe she should have someone come by first to make sure that was a good plan, which is very smart! First thing to find out is will assets of Dad's be taken to pay the mortgage? In this case, no, the life insurance is really the only thing that is in play and it all goes to Mom. So she can walk away and give the house to the bank if that is the best recourse. The key to making this decision is what is owed to the bank, how much work needs to be done, and what are the "comps" or comparable recent sales. First we needed to do a walkthrough of the house. In this area of Baltimore County, the sales vary widely due to age and condition. You have homes built in the 1920s through the 1980s primarily, all different styles and sizes. When you're looking at a project like this, you want to look at it as if you are a real estate investor. The aquisition price is what is owed to the bank. In this case we are looking at about $157k. This amount will go up if no payments are being made, so that is something that will impact your project. If the work is going to take 4 months and then it takes 2 months to get a buyer, you're looking at 6 extra payments added to this balance for payoff, so let's say $165k. This particular home was built in 1928. It has been updated throughout the years of course and like most homes, it will need work to be done to it in order to sell it for top dollar. After looking at "comps", I'm estimating that this house may be able to sell for $220k after we are done with the projects. That would not be totally renovated, but the repairs and some upgrades would be done. First of all the roof needs repair or replacement. This is a photo from the back of the house where an unscrupulous contractor had taken advantage of them with a terrible roof repair. Where you see the missing shingles, there has been leaking into the house behind a closet. Mold is showing through to the other side of the drywall. When you are choosing a contractor, make sure they are licensed and bonded and reputable. Unfortunately there are people who literally will come knocking on your door and offer you great deals to repair your roof or fix your driveway that will take advantage of you if you aren't familiar with home repairs. They may be able to get away with just replacing the back end of the roof, but if they have to replace the entire roof, that's about $5000-$6000. The drywall needs to be replaced in this closet and mold remediation done in the house. There's a local company, NZ Mold, that has a green product that will kill mold spores in your house. First you need to find the source of the water and stop it, then have them come in and spray. It's about $2 per square foot and they give you a lifetime warranty providing the water leak has been fixed. I did not go into the attic of this home. There could be other issues there; animals (happens sometimes, rodents, squirrels, etc), plywood that needs replacing, etc. The front door on this home needs at a minimum repair, possibly replacement. Repair wouldn't cost much, but replacement could be $1500. As you enter in the living room, it needs paint and trimwork. When you have dark paint, it can be a little more challenging to cover, but if you are able to do the work yourself, you can save a ton of money. The bedrooms are dark also and for the house to show neutrally and more move-in ready, which gets you into the price range this house would need to be in, in order to get out from under it and make some money, you'll want to lighten up the paint to prepare for staging. I think the electric may be a little sketchy and I'm not certain if it is up to code. If you don't have an electrician come out initially to check everything, electrical issues can/will come up during the home inspection. Plan on a minimum of a couple hundred dollars for minor fixes (reverse polarity, GFCIs), to $2000 if you need an entire new electrical box. Other potential issues are aluminum wiring, but that would be on much newer homes than this one. Ideally in a house like this, you'd want to do a new kitchen, just plug and play because the layout is fine. There's a local company that can pull out the cabinets, and install new cabinets and granite counters in a kitchen this size for about $4500, which would make it really nice. At a minimum, to get into the price range we would need to be in, the cabinets can be cleaned, new hardware installed (some are missing), and a new sink installed. The appliances are also old and should be replaced. In this price range you do not need any fancy brand names or anything. You could look for scratch and dent stainless appliances that look good, or get a 4 piece Fridgedaire set for about $2000. In this room there is also paint, cleaning, and trimwork that would need to be done. In the living room there's also a window that was covered on the outside with siding but still shows on the inside and that would need to be covered. Quirky things like that are fine while you're living in your house but makes it hard to sell if you're trying to get top dollar for what it is. Moving down the hallway into the full bathroom, it needs to be remodeled. The bathtub has spots that have worn and the tile has seen better days. The easiest thing to do in here is probably having a new surround put on the tub like Bathfitters does. The cost to do that is about $2000. Please excuse the blurry photo. The photos were taken for my own use during the evaluation so I could look back on them. The vanity and mirror would need to be replaced also but those 2 things are not expensive. You can get a decent vanity and mirror for about $300 and have someone come in and install them. Doing a remodel this way would probably be around $3000 give or take, which isn't bad really. The HVAC system is also old in this house and would likely need to be replaced for a buyer to want to pay top dollar. There are a few doors that need replacing or re-installing and a couple other areas of drywall work, some carpet to pull out, and a few other miscellaneous details. Another thing to remember when doing these projects is there will be other things coming up as you're working that you didn't anticipate. You'll want to budget for about 10% more than what you think you'll need and hope that you don't end up with any big surprises. My recommendation was to not move foward with the projects; it's just too risky. This house will be a great project for an investor who pays in the neighborhood of $125k or so. I recommended that the seller contact the bank, explain what happened and see if they have any incentives available to her where she can hand over the keys and help them avoid a long, drawn-out foreclosure situation. In the past I've heard of banks doing keys for cash deals where the bank tells you when they want to take the house back, you stay in it and keep the utilities on so the house stays in good condition and then you sign paperwork to hand the house over to the bank and they give you money towards moving expenses. Not sure if any banks still do this but it's worth a call. This owner did her due dillegence and has decided to walk away from the house. If you'd like a no-cost, no obligation consultation, give us a call for a walkthrough and evaluation to see what makes sense for you!************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

2509 Amber Orchard Court #104, Contract in 2 Days!

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 19:03:03 -0700

One of the Nicest in the Neighborhood! We sold this beautiful condo in Piney Orchard in 2 days!

Overview Maps Photos

$229,900

Single Family Home

Main Features

2 Bedrooms2 Full Bathrooms1 UnitInterior: 1,391 sqftYear Built: 2001MLS #: AA10042819

Location

2509 Amber Orchard Court104Odenton, MD 21113USA

David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242[email protected]http://www.webberteam.com Listed by: RE/MAX Executive, David Webber

Our recent listings Picture Perfect Rancher | $269,900 | Pasadena, MDThe Cream of the Crop! | $539,900 | Crofton, MDAll The Bells and Whistles! | $375,000 | Odenton, MDSingle Family Residential | $229,000 | SEVERN, MDBeautiful End Unit Townhome | $284,900 | Crofton, MD

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// -1&&(h.href='mailto:'+a(h.href,t+o.length))}catch(e){}for(c=e.querySelectorAll('.__cf_email__'),n=0;n************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

Can I really get a mortgage when I'm 70 years old?

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 08:57:07 -0700

We met with a couple this week that has been renting in their condo building for 5 years and wants to move because of the people upstairs (long story!). I mentioned the high cost of renting in the Odenton/Crofton area and asked if they could even get a 30 year mortgage because they are 70. The answer is yes, absolutely! The mortgage lender will require the same documentation from you as they would from a younger person: income verification (paystubs, social security documents, whatever your income is from), qualifying credit score, and downpayment (as low as 3.5% for FHA loan, some programs maybe less if you qualify for them). You do not need to still be working either; you can be retired and use your retirement and/or social security income to qualify. Loans in general are not one size fits all so you'll want to talk with a knowledgeable mortgage lender who can advise you on your particular situation. All around the Fort Meade area rents are typically higher than what a mortgage payment would be and with a mortgage, you can write off the interest payments which may lower your tax bracket and save you more money. In addition, you'll be paying the loan back and building equity or wealth in your own home. There are several really nice, specifically adult communities in the area as well including condos over at Waugh Chapel, Heritage Harbour in Annapolis, and the new Two Rivers in Odenton. We can tour these areas with you if you are considering a 55+ community. Make sure to bring your Realtor to new construction, including Two Rivers, on your first visit so you will have representation in case you end up buying there! You can talk to your CPA and discuss your personal situation to see what that would look like and let us know if you'd like a local mortgage lender recommendation. ************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

For Sale: 1914 Harcourt Avenue, Crofton, MD 21114

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:34:33 -0700

The Cream of the Crop!

Overview Maps Photos Video Open House

$539,900

Single Family Home

Main Features

4 Bedrooms2 Full Bathrooms1 Half Bathroom1 UnitInterior: 2,516 sqftLot: 9,639 sqftYear Built: 1974MLS #: AA10008700

Location

1914 Harcourt AvenueCrofton, MD 21114USA

David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242[email protected]// http://www.webberteam.com Listed by: RE/MAX Executive, David Webber

Our recent listings The Cream of the Crop!All The Bells and Whistles!Single Family Residential for $229,000 in SEVERN, MDBeautiful End Unit TownhomeResidential Rental for $1,695 in ODENTON, MD

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// -1&&m>28){j=28+s;s='';if(j/g,'>');l[i].href='mailto:'+t.value}}catch(e){}}}catch(e){}})(document);// ]]>************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

163 Ellen Avenue, Severn, MD For Sale!

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 18:35:40 -0700

Gorgeous, Remodeled Colonial at 163 Ellen Avenue, Severn, Maryland

Overview Maps Photos Description

$349,900

Single Family Home

Main Features

3 Bedrooms3 Full Bathrooms1 Half BathroomInterior: 2,808 sqftLot: 5,040 sqftYear Built: 2005MLS #: AA10007641

Location

163 Ellen AvenueSevern, MD 21144USA

David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242[email protected]// http://www.webberteam.com Listed by: RE/MAX Executive, David Webber

Our recent listings All The Bells and Whistles!Single Family Residential for $229,000 in SEVERN, MDBeautiful End Unit TownhomeResidential Rental for $1,695 in ODENTON, MDSingle Family Residential for $524,900 in GAMBRILLS, MD

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Why does it look like a Townhouse but is a Condo?

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 10:59:14 -0700

This is a question that we are asked a lot in the Anne Arundel County area, in towns like Crofton, Annapolis, Glen Burnie, and Pasadena, Maryland, and it's a matter of ownership. You can have a 3 level townhouse in Crofton Square (a small neighborhood within Crofton Meadows) and it's a condo, but then another 3 level townhouse up the street on Lake Grove Lane is a townhouse. The difference is you don't own the land in Crofton Square, it is owned by the condo association and you have a master insurance policy covering the house in case of a disaster like a fire; that insurance plan will rebuild the home. The townhouse in this photo appears to be a 3 level townhome, but it is condominium ownership. In this neighborhood, in the bac of Crofton Meadows on Log Mill, the fees are not super high and include the master insurance policy (makes your homeowners insurance much cheaper), common area maintenance, snow removal and water bill. You are responsible for your siding and roof replacement. Typically in the Crofton and Annapolis areas as well as other towns, the condo monthly payment will be higher than a townhouse and it will cover other fees like your water bill and sometimes will even cover your siding and roof replacement, whereas a townhouse will be considered more like a single family home but will have a small HOA fee to cover things like common area maintenance. You can tell if it's a condo by looking up the tax record. For a condo where it says "property land area" there will not be a number, and for a townhouse, it may say .04, or something like that which is .04 acres. Make sure to request the condo or HOA docs for whatever home you are interested in so that you understand the fees and services involved. If you work with a local agent, they may even have them from a past transaction. Also with a condo, there could be financing issues. For example, we recently helped buyers puchase in Nantucket Mews, which even the lender didn't know was not VA approved as a neighborhood. It was FHA approved, which we verified when submitting the offer, and that used to be ok. Now, each neighborhood has to be specifically approved for VA financing or FHA financing. Stonehaven Mews, right next to Nantucket Mews, was already VA approved but Nantucket was not until last month when the lender we worked with submitted an expedited request to have the neighborhood approved so now anyone can purchase a condo there again with a VA loan. Some Crofton neighborhoods are currently not FHA approved, which is a problem because it brings down property values if a house can only be purchased with a VA or conventional loan since so many first-time buyers like to use an FHA loan. Make sure you get pre-approved for your mortgage financing and you know what you are pre-approved for so you can let your Realtor know to make sure you don't fall in love with a home you can't purchase! ************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

2835 Settlers View Drive, Piney Orchard, For Sale!

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 06:08:25 -0700

All The Bells and Whistles!

Overview Maps Photos Features Neighborhood

$375,000

Single Family Home

Main Features

45 Bedrooms3 Full Bathrooms1 Half Bathroom1 UnitInterior: 2,370 sqftYear Built: 2004MLS #: AA9954928

Location

2835 Settlers View DriveOdenton, MD 21113USA

David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242[email protected]// http://www.webberteam.com Listed by: RE/MAX Executive, David Webber

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7860 West Riverside Drive, Pasadena, FOR SALE!

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 12:19:08 -0700

Picture Perfect Rancher!

Overview Maps Photos Description Neighborhood

$269,900.00

Single Family Home

Main Features

2 Bedrooms2 Full Bathrooms1 UnitInterior: 1,734 sqftLot: 14,000 sqftYear Built: 1966MLS #: AA9954928

Location

7860 W. Riverside DrivePasadena, MD 21122USA

David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242[email protected]// http://www.webberteam.com Listed by: RE/MAX Executive, David Webber

Our recent listings Single Family Residential for $229,000 in SEVERN, MDBeautiful End Unit TownhomeResidential Rental for $1,695 in ODENTON, MDSingle Family Residential for $524,900 in GAMBRILLS, MDHidden Oasis in Crofton Area

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Zillow Offering $1,000,000 Because Zestimates Are So Innacurate

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Fri, 26 May 2017 06:25:27 -0700

Zillow is offering a $1,000,000 prize to the person who can come up with a better system to make their Zestimates more accurate. The biggest issue we see is value is not just about square footage, it's also about upgrades and amenities, and because of those nuances, you need an experienced Realtor to come in and help you value your house. There's actually a class-action lawsuit that has been filed against Zillow because so many people look at Zillow "Zestimates" and think they are like an appraisal, but they are not. For example, if you look in the Baltimore Metro Area on their website, they give it 3 stars and say that is "good". If you look at the data, it shows 47.6% of homes are "within 5%" of value. Not too terrible right? Going further, 83% of homes are within 20% of value! So on a $300,000 home, your Zestimate could be anywhere from $240,000 - $360,000. How in the world does that help you price your home???? Zillow is an ADVERTISER. They get their data from Realtors who enter home sale listings into the multiple list system, tax records, and court records. Then they entice people to get on their website to shop, and those people become LEADS that they sell to Realtors. That's what they are about. Advertising. A great example is this house WE JUST SOLD for $524,900, has a Zestimate of $511,077. It decreased in value in a month? Here's the full article: Consumers Hate Zestimates If you want a real estimate on your homes value, give a real, experienced human a call. There are some things that computers just don't do as well!************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.

1402 Illinois Avenue, Severn, MD 21144 FOR SALE!

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Thu, 11 May 2017 08:42:38 -0700

We have an estimate in hand from H&L Granite in Crofton to remodel this kitchen! Brand new cabinets, granite, sink, and glass tile backsplash will totally transform this home! Price for that including removal and install is only $6098. Add new appliances and this place will POP. The smaller house across the street was remodeled and just sold for $300,000 and the price for this home is only $229,000! Ask me for the plans. A little cash and you have a ton of built-in equity! The only reason the price is so low is it needs a little updating. This home would be a great buy and hold for a rental or potentially a remodel and re-sell. It's a very short commute into Ft. Meade. Add new carpet in the bedrooms and switch out a few light fixtures in addition to remodeling the kitchen and you're set to go! Oh and it's a short walk to Ridgeway Elementary School!

Overview Maps Photos

$229,000

Single Family Home

Main Features

2 Bedrooms1 Full BathroomInterior: 1,250 sqftLot: 12,272 sqftYear Built: 1956MLS #: AA9749132

Location

1402 ILLINOIS AVESEVERN, MD 21144USA

David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242[email protected]// http://www.webberteam.com Listed by: RE/MAX Executive

Our recent listings Beautiful End Unit TownhomeResidential Rental for $1,695 in ODENTON, MDSingle Family Residential for $524,900 in GAMBRILLS, MDHidden Oasis in Crofton AreaSingle Family Residential for $499,900 in CROFTON, MD

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For Sale! 1813 Log Mill Place, Crofton, Maryland 21114

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Sat, 06 May 2017 07:57:27 -0700

Overview Maps Photos Description

$284,900

Single Family Home

Main Features

2 Bedrooms1 Full Bathroom1 Half Bathroom1 UnitInterior: 1,166 sqftLot: 3,003 sqftYear Built: 1991MLS #: AA9911781

Location

1813 Log Mill PlaceCrofton, MD 21114USA

David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242[email protected]// http://www.webberteam.com Listed by: RE/MAX Executive, David Webber

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Does a Seller Have to Sell For Appraised Value?

David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com (RE/MAX Executive) — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 07:36:55 -0700

The short answer is NO. We have been having appraisal issues recently due to low inventory and high buyer demand which has unfortunately led to some properties under-appraising, especially in more rural areas and especially in early spring. Why early spring? There are typically fewer sales in the Fall/Wintertime all around Maryland as about 70% of homes sell in the Spring/Summer. When we as Realtors are counseling sellers on pricing when they are ready to sell their house, we look back historically, 6 months or as much as a year back to show them comparable recent sales and trends. We also look at current inventory, market trends, and home appreciation. The sellers are the ones who choose the listing price of course, and we discuss how to get the most money for them in the shortest period of time. If you can price the home so it sells within 30 days or so, you're likely to get the most money for the house. When you're putting your house on the market in February or March, it's actually very smart as most sellers don't get their houses on the market until April or May which they think is the start of the selling season but there are a lot of buyers out in early spring providing the weather is good. So you get a contract on your house in April. Buyer and seller agree on the price and terms, which is the definition of "market value." Then the lender orders an appraisal through an appraisal management company. Lender cannot talk with this appraiser but Realtors can. We now meet the appraisers if we think there may be a value issue. Twice in the past month we've had problems and part of the issue is also "over-improved" homes for the area, basically meaning they are so much nicer than others that have sold but there aren't "comps" to help justify what the buyer is willing to pay so the appraisals have come in low. In one case, the sellers already retired and were planning their move out-of-state and they accepted the appraisal amount. This beautiful home was hands-down the nicest in the neighborhood and showed like a model. Because of that and recent lower sales, it did under-appraise. The buyers did not have extra money to put down so they were going to need to choose another home and we would have gone back on the market. The sellers wanted to relocate and also knew that if the first appraiser under-appraised it by $33,000, it was likely that would happen again. In the second case, we again met the appraiser, gave him the long list of upgrades this house had, suggested comps, etc, and he didn't indicate that there would be any problem with the appraisal but a couple days later, the buyer's agent came back and said oh, the house under-appraised by $25000 and she sent over an addendum changing the price as if that was just how it had to be. My sellers answered no and she was surprised. I asked if they were going to appeal the appraisal and she came back and said the lender asked me to do it. No problem, we appealed, sent a better comp for him to use in place of one of them, and everything went into the lender's "review." One of the "comps" the appraiser used settled 12 months ago and they did not do an adjustment for the time-frame. Prices in Anne Arundel County overall have gone up 4.9% year over year March 2016-March 2017 so you'd think that if you're using a comparable property that sold 12 months ago, you could add 4.9% to it for a sale today but apparently there's no adjustment for that, which is silly. That adjustment alone on this home would be $24,500, which is exactly where the agreed upon price was. They came back $2500 higher which was not helpful. We asked if the buyer would demand to use another appraiser, one who is local and understands the market and would choose more appropriate comps and the lender said they would only do it if necessary. In the meantime, we brought in another couple who missed out on the house. Told them the whole story. Were planning on hiring an independent appraiser that lives nearby and if he got a higher value or the sales price, using that to give to a future appraiser so that they would have the help they needed to get the appropriate value. The new people sat down and wrote an identical offer and were fully aware of what might happen again (low appraisal) and were willing to pay the extra $25,000, because IT IS WORTH IT! Our sellers signed a release and sent it over to release the buyers from the contract so they could move to the next contract but the buyers at that point, realizing the sellers would not come down, decided to pay the extra $25,000. BECAUSE THE HOUSE IS WORTH IT. That extra $25,000 really inconvenienced the buyers because they couldn't borrow it and had to take it out of savings because the appraiser is the one at the end of the day that is in control of how much money the lender will be able to loan you. Our recent sales, including this one which sold for $25,000 over appraised value, will certainly help future buyers in the Gambrills/Davidsonville area, especially in Hallmark Woods!************************************************************************************* To list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Anne Arundel or Howard Counties as well as parts of Prince George’s, Calvert, and Montgomery Counties, call Lisa & David Webber, Licensed Realtors® at 410-320-0242. For more information on our services, please visit our profile or our website. Find us on google+, and twitter. To view all the homes available for sale in Maryland, click here for your FREE ListingBook account and search like a Realtor does.