mdrealestateblog.com

Wow, I just looked at the taxes and fees I'm paying with my telephone bill. My service provider is Verizon, and they are providing telephone, tv and internet. Those are the "services" I pay for on the monthly bill. However, I was pretty surprised when I looked closer at the bill to see what "non service" related fees I'm paying. Here's the list"

Taxes, Fees & Other Verizon Charges.

• Gross Receipts tax - Long Distance
• Telecommunications Access of MD Fee
• MD Gross Receipts Tax Surcharge
• MD 911 Fee
• Federal Universal Service Fund Surcharge Long Distance
• MD Federal Universal Service Fund Surcharge
• Federal Excise Tax
• MD Local Tax
• Federal Subscriber Line Charge
• PEG Grant Fee
• Video Franchise Fee
• State Sales Tax

This list of taxes and fees is actually longer than the rest of the bill. I don't blame Verizon for this since they are just collecting and passing through most of these fees. But, this is getting pretty ridiculous.

So much for Maryland's nickname calling themselves "The Free State."

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved
©iStock Photo - Licensed for Use

Crofton MD Real Estate - Status Week Ending 01/23/10

As you can see from the chart below, ten new listings came on the market in Crofton MD last week. These were a good combination of offerings for anyone from first time home buyers to move up purchasers. Two of the new listings were priced below $200,000, which is pretty rare for Crofton, MD. The largest of the new listings was a 4 br, 3.5 bath house in the Walden section listed for $575,000.

Five new rental listings came on the market and five had applications registered. Right now, the rental market is very robust in Crofton, MD.

Seven properties moved into some sort of Contract status. This is a future indicator of settlements to come in the near future.

If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in Crofton, MD or the surrounding area, I can help.

The local Multiple Listing Service (MRIS) uses the following status types to indicate a property's availability:

• ACTIVE: Indicates that the property is available with no contingencies, contract or application registered against it.
• CNTG/KO: (Contingent with Kick Out) - Indicates that the property is available but has a contract with at least one pending contingency that includes a kick out clause.
• CNTG/NO KO: (Contingent with No Kick Out) - Indicates that the property is available but has a contract with at least one pending contingency and the pending contingencies do not contain kick out clauses.
• APP REG: (Application Registered) - Indicates that the property is available but a rental application has been registered on it.
• CONTRACT: - Indicates that the property has a ratified contract with no pending contingencies. If the only remaining contingency is financing the status should be contract.
• SOLD: - Indicates that the property is sold and settled.
• RENTED: - Indicates that the property has been rented.
• TEMPORARY OFF: - Indicates that the property is not available for showing. This status is for short term use and must have seller approval.
• EXPIRED: - Indicates that the listing agreement has expired.
• WITHDRAWN: - Indicates that the listing agreement has been terminated prior to its original date.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Odenton MD Real Estate - Status for Week Ending 01/23/10

Odenton MD added 9 new active listings to the current inventory last week. These were a good combination of offerings for anyone from first time home buyers to move up purchasers. All of the listings were townhouse or duplex style with the most expensive going for $359,900.

Seven new rental listings came on the market and eight had applications registered. Right now, the rental market is very robust in Odenton, MD, as usual.

Twelve properties moved or changed status into some sort of Contract status. This is a future indicator of settlements to come in the near future.

If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in Odenton, MD or the surrounding area, I can help.

The local Multiple Listing Service (MRIS) uses the following status types to indicate a property's availability:

• ACTIVE: Indicates that the property is available with no contingencies, contract or application registered against it.
• CNTG/KO: (Contingent with Kick Out) - Indicates that the property is available but has a contract with at least one pending contingency that includes a kick out clause.
• CNTG/NO KO: (Contingent with No Kick Out) - Indicates that the property is available but has a contract with at least one pending contingency and the pending contingencies do not contain kick out clauses.
• APP REG: (Application Registered) - Indicates that the property is available but a rental application has been registered on it.
• CONTRACT: - Indicates that the property has a ratified contract with no pending contingencies. If the only remaining contingency is financing the status should be contract.
• SOLD: - Indicates that the property is sold and settled.
• RENTED: - Indicates that the property has been rented.
• TEMPORARY OFF: - Indicates that the property is not available for showing. This status is for short term use and must have seller approval.
• EXPIRED: - Indicates that the listing agreement has expired.
• WITHDRAWN: - Indicates that the listing agreement has been terminated prior to its original date.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Odenton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Bowie MD Real Estate - Status for Week Ending 01/23/10

Bowie MD added a pretty substantial 50 new active listings to the current inventory last week. These were a good combination of offerings for anyone from first time home buyers to move up purchasers.

Nine new rental listings came on the market and four had applications registered. Right now, the rental market is very robust in Bowie, MD.

44  properties moved or changed status into some sort of Contract status, while 13 sold and went to settlement. The contract status changes tends to be a future indicator of settlements to come in the near future.

If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in Bowie, MD or the surrounding area, I can help.

The local Multiple Listing Service (MRIS) uses the following status types to indicate a property's availability:

• ACTIVE: Indicates that the property is available with no contingencies, contract or application registered against it.
• CNTG/KO: (Contingent with Kick Out) - Indicates that the property is available but has a contract with at least one pending contingency that includes a kick out clause.
• CNTG/NO KO: (Contingent with No Kick Out) - Indicates that the property is available but has a contract with at least one pending contingency and the pending contingencies do not contain kick out clauses.
• APP REG: (Application Registered) - Indicates that the property is available but a rental application has been registered on it.
• CONTRACT: - Indicates that the property has a ratified contract with no pending contingencies. If the only remaining contingency is financing the status should be contract.
• SOLD: - Indicates that the property is sold and settled.
• RENTED: - Indicates that the property has been rented.
• TEMPORARY OFF: - Indicates that the property is not available for showing. This status is for short term use and must have seller approval.
• EXPIRED: - Indicates that the listing agreement has expired.
• WITHDRAWN: - Indicates that the listing agreement has been terminated prior to its original date.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Severna Park MD Real Estate - Status for Week Ending 01/23/10

Severna Park, MD added fourteen new active listings to the current inventory last week. The least expensive was a 3/2 rancher int eh Riverdale section. If you're looking for a 3/2 rancher in the water oriented Manhattan Beach section, you're going to have to pony up $749,900. At least, thats the beginning asking price.

Severna Park, MD is not a big rental market and nothing that happened last week changed that. No new rentals and not rentals went off the market.

4  properties moved or changed status into some sort of Contract status, while 7 sold and went to settlement. The contract status changes tends to be a future indicator of settlements to come in the near future.

If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in Severna Park, MD or the surrounding area, I can help.

The local Multiple Listing Service (MRIS) uses the following status types to indicate a property's availability:

• ACTIVE: Indicates that the property is available with no contingencies, contract or application registered against it.
• CNTG/KO: (Contingent with Kick Out) - Indicates that the property is available but has a contract with at least one pending contingency that includes a kick out clause.
• CNTG/NO KO: (Contingent with No Kick Out) - Indicates that the property is available but has a contract with at least one pending contingency and the pending contingencies do not contain kick out clauses.
• APP REG: (Application Registered) - Indicates that the property is available but a rental application has been registered on it.
• CONTRACT: - Indicates that the property has a ratified contract with no pending contingencies. If the only remaining contingency is financing the status should be contract.
• SOLD: - Indicates that the property is sold and settled.
• RENTED: - Indicates that the property has been rented.
• TEMPORARY OFF: - Indicates that the property is not available for showing. This status is for short term use and must have seller approval.
• EXPIRED: - Indicates that the listing agreement has expired.
• WITHDRAWN: - Indicates that the listing agreement has been terminated prior to its original date.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Annapolis MD Real Estate - Status for Week Ending 01/23/10

Annapolis, MD added 44 new active listings to the current inventory last week. The least expensive was a rowhouse in Eastport listed for $104,900. If you have an extra $2,999,000 laying around you can pick up a fantastic Annapolis MD Victorian, on a large lot.

Annapolis, MD rental market is one of the more robust in the area. Last week 9 new rental listings came on the market, and applications were registered for 4 of the current rental inventory.

18  properties moved or changed status into some sort of Contract status, while 12 sold and went to settlement. The contract status changes tends to be a future indicator of settlements to come in the near future.

While only two listings expired last week, 14 were withdrawn by the sellers.

If you're looking to purchase or sell a home in Annapolis, MD or the surrounding area, I can help.

The local Multiple Listing Service (MRIS) uses the following status types to indicate a property's availability:

• ACTIVE: Indicates that the property is available with no contingencies, contract or application registered against it.
• CNTG/KO: (Contingent with Kick Out) - Indicates that the property is available but has a contract with at least one pending contingency that includes a kick out clause.
• CNTG/NO KO: (Contingent with No Kick Out) - Indicates that the property is available but has a contract with at least one pending contingency and the pending contingencies do not contain kick out clauses.
• APP REG: (Application Registered) - Indicates that the property is available but a rental application has been registered on it.
• CONTRACT: - Indicates that the property has a ratified contract with no pending contingencies. If the only remaining contingency is financing the status should be contract.
• SOLD: - Indicates that the property is sold and settled.
• RENTED: - Indicates that the property has been rented.
• TEMPORARY OFF: - Indicates that the property is not available for showing. This status is for short term use and must have seller approval.
• EXPIRED: - Indicates that the listing agreement has expired.
• WITHDRAWN: - Indicates that the listing agreement has been terminated prior to its original date.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Anne Arundel County Maryland

In December, 2009, Anne Arundel County Maryland continued to see more FHA loans being processed than conventional loans. The FHA has recently increased the upfront MIP required to 2.25%. This amount is built into the loan amount and paid off over the life of the loan.

Interest rates are still excellent for most borrowers with decent credit. Speak to your loan officer regarding rates, and the best type of loan for your individual circumstances.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Baltimore, Maryland

In December, 2009, Baltimore, Maryland continued to see more FHA loans being processed than conventional loans, by a significant margin. More than twice the number of FHA loans were used in December, 2009, compared to conventional loans. Investors look like they're still in the Baltimore market since 125 properties were paid for in cash. The FHA has recently increased the upfront MIP required to 2.25%. This amount is built into the loan amount and paid off over the life of the loan.

Interest rates are still excellent for most borrowers with decent credit. Speak to your loan officer regarding rates, and the best type of loan for your individual circumstances.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Baltimore County, Maryland

In December, 2009, Baltimore County Maryland continued to see more FHA loans being processed than conventional loans. A total of 189 FHA loans were processed to purchase homes. Investors look like they're still in the Baltimore market since 56 properties were paid for in cash. The FHA has recently increased the upfront MIP required to 2.25%. This amount is built into the loan amount and paid off over the life of the loan.

Interest rates are still excellent for most borrowers with decent credit. Speak to your loan officer regarding rates, and the best type of loan for your individual circumstances.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved

Howard County, Maryland

In December, 2009, Howard County Maryland bucked the trend in the area for loan financing types. Most other jurisdictions surrounding Howard County had more FHA loans used to purchase property than conventional loans. Howard County MD home purchasers used conventional loans 100 times compared to FHA loans 60 in December, 2009. Investors are still in the Howard County real estate market since 23 properties were paid for in cash.

The FHA has recently increased the upfront MIP required to 2.25%. This amount is built into the loan amount and paid off over the life of the loan.

Interest rates are still excellent for most borrowers with decent credit. Speak to your loan officer regarding rates, and the best type of loan for your individual circumstances.

Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

©2009 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved