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After a long, hard winter in the Crofton, MD area, Broker Caravans are starting up again. Wednesday was the first of the season and since we haven't had one in a while there were thirteen homes to tour. Great for thirty somethings...not so great for thirty plus somethings. Eleven of the thirteen homes were three levels.

Three brokerages are participating for this once a month event, Coldwell Banker, Prudential, and Long and Foster. Crofton, MD agents cover a densely populated area, with a lot of inventory. We don't always get to see every new listing that comes on the market in our area, and the caravan provides another opportunity to get familiar with the houses in our market.

The caravan is concentrated only on listings in Crofton, MD, and we go through them pretty quickly. Wednesday was no exception, thirteen houses in about an hour and a half. Feedback sheets are provided for each listing, and sometimes the feedback is actually valuable.

Home caravans are probably an anachronism in today's real estate world and should be discontinued. In the three offices participating there are probably about two hundred agents, and only about twenty show up for the tour. Each of the brokerages periodically question whether they should continue, and in the end, they do. At least for now. Attendance has been dropping off, as well as the interest in giving up a morning a month.

Frankly, I don't mind the caravans. After all, you really can't get to know the inventory that well from behind a computer screen.

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

During March, 2010 FHA loan type was the most used to purchase a Crofton, MD home. This type of loan is used frequently because of the lower down payment required. FHA loans currently require the buyer to put down 3.5% on their home purchase.

Following the increasingly popular FHA loan was the standard conventional loan. This is a scenario we've seen frequently in the Crofton, MD real estate market.

With our proximity to Ft. Meade, Crofton, MD home buyers do frequently use VA loan types as well. Three of the homes purchased in March, 2010 used a VA loan.

A couple of loans were assumed and one Crofton, MD home buyer paid cash.

Finding the right financing to purchase your Crofton, MD home is critical. I can recommend an excellent loan officer, who is local to the area.

Crofton, MD has an excellent selection of homes in all price ranges, and I can show you any of them.

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

The Severna Park, MD real estate market had some significant increases but wasn't running on all cylinders when comparing March 2010 to the same period in 2009.

Total units sold in 2010 were 16, compared to 8 in March of 2009. A very decent increase of 100%. In previous months, Severna Park, MD, has been lagging behind other communities in the area slightly during the previous months.

Sales dollar volume in Severna Park, MD for March 2010 were $8,059,227, an increase of 116% from 2009. The average sold price jumped to $503,702, an 8.48% increase from the same period last year.

In March of 2010, an Severna Park, MD home for sale could expect to be on the market for 139 days, on average. This is one indicator that is going in the wrong direction. Last year in March, a home for sale in Severna Park, MD too about 64 days, on average, to sell.

Pricing seems to have been an issue in Severna Park, MD during March of 2010. One of the factors that we look at is the Average Sale as a Percentage of List Price ratio. For Severna Park, MD, this figure was 84.93% in March, 2010. This is 8 - 10% lower than surrounding communities. Of course, the average sale price for homes in Severna Park, MD is significantly higher than most other communities in Anne Arundel County.

There are currently 193 Active homes for sale in Severna Park, MD, in all price ranges, and I can show you any of them

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

The Odenton, MD real estate market was rocking when comparing March 2010 to the same period in 2009.

Total units sold in 2010 were 32, compared to 24 in March of 2009. A very decent increase of 33%. In previous months, Odenton, MD, has been lagging behind other communities in the area slightly.

Sales in Odenton, MD for March 2010 were $9,635,350, an increase of 41.36% from 2009. The average sold price jumped to $301,105, a 6% increase from the same period last year.

In March of 2010, an Odenton, MD home for sale could expect to be on the market for 94 days, on average. This is a 27% decrease from last year.

Another significant indicator for real estate sales in Odenton, MD was the Average Sale as a Percentage of List Price. For March, 2010, this figure was 92.15%, indicating that homes are priced well for this market.

There are currently 186 Active homes for sale in Odenton, MD, in all price ranges, and I can show you any of them.

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

The Crofton, MD real estate market did well in all categories when comparing March 2010 to the same period in 2009.

Total units sold in 2010 were 24, compared to 25 in March of 2009. This is about average for Crofton, MD, where a little over one home goes to settlement every business day. Lately, we've seen huge increases, that can only be attributed to aberrations. Most agents knew that 150% gains year over year were not normal for the Crofton, MD market.

Sales for March 2010 were $8,519,302, an increase of 11.36% from 2009. The average sold price showed a healthy increase of 16% and for March of 2010 stood at $354,971. The median sold price also had a very significant increase to $312,450, 25% higher than 2009.

In March of 2010, a Crofton, MD home for sale could expect to be on the market for 84 days, on average. This is an almost 11% decrease from last year.

Another significant indicator for real estate sales in Crofton, MD was the Average Sale as a Percentage of List Price. For March, 2010, this figure was 94.88%, indicating that homes are priced well for this market.

There are currently 154 Active homes for sale in Crofton, MD, in all price ranges, and I can show you any of them.

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

If you're anything like me, you blow past those End User License Agreements without even a cursory glance. Every time I download new software or update any existing software, there they are. Accept and move on, decline and no update.

An English company, to prove the point that few people actually read the EULA's, changed the wording temporarily on April 1st. It seems that over 7,000 people accepted the new EULA, which contained the clause that they would give up their immortal souls to the company, on request. I would assume that they're right on target that not many people were reading that contract before they pressed accept.

Of course it was just a goof, but it does bring up an important point about reading and understanding contracts. As Realtors, we already know how important this is to our clients, and to us as well. When we install new software on our computers, we are clients of the company that manufactured, and owns the rights to that software. I'm not worried about giving up my immortal soul in one of those EULAS, but without reading it, what else might I be giving up?

I doubt that my behavior is going to change dramatically after reading this article...but maybe I'll be a bit more skeptical before I click agree.

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

Crofton MD Real Estate, 21114 - Status for Week Ending 04/10/10

The current Active inventory for Crofton, MD homes is 164. 17 of these are rentals and 147 are homes for sale.

As you can see from the chart below, twenty one new listings came on the market in Crofton MD last week. That is a huge number of new listings for Crofton, MD in one week. Three of these new listings was below $250,000, a decent price range for first time home buyers in Crofton, MD. The largest of the new listings was a 6 br, 3 full bath house in the Crofton Park section listed for $579,000.

Five new rental listings came on the market this past week. The current rental market is very robust and competitive in Crofton, MD.

Nineteen properties moved into a form of Contract status. Twelve of these properties moved into full contract status. This is a future indicator of settlements to come in the near future. Full Contract status is a good indicator that all contingencies are removed, except possibly financing.

Seven home owners completed the home sale process and went to settlement last week in Crofton, MD.

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

2605 Chapel Lake Drive, #301, Gambrills, MD 21054
List Price: $195,000
Ownership: Condo
BR/FB/HB: 2/2/1
Lot AC/SF: 0/1,138
Lvls/Fpls: 1/0
Year Built: 2002
Total Tax: $2,427
Tax Yr: 2009
Style: Colonial
Type: Condo, Active Adult 55+

It's all about the Active Adult lifestyle. Spectacular 55+ Active Adult condo in a secure, elevator building. Maintenance free unit includes two spacious bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half bath. Kitchen area with eating bar, living room/dining room combo, balcony, laundry room all on one level. Community social room and exercise room. Walk to shopping and restaurants. Garage parking and secure storage area. This location has it all for that lifestyle change you're looking to make.

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

The Maryland Legislature has joined the lead of several other States, and the District of Colombia, to ban holding and talking on cell phones when driving. The bill will become law when the Governor signs it in October, and he has indicated that he will sign the bill.

Talking on a cellphone while driving will only be allowed if using a headset, except for emergency calls. Violators can be fined $40 for the first offense and up to $100 for additional violations.

Interestingly, the ban is a secondary offense. That means that law enforcement can only charge a violator if they're pulled over for another offense. That provision makes little or no sense to me.

Good idea...sure, and I'm glad it will be implemented. I see so many boneheaded moves by drivers talking on cell phones every time I'm on the road. I don't think its going to make the roads any safer though, or if it does, only marginally so. Nevertheless, its a good idea, and I applaud the Legislature for ignoring the cell phone industry lobbyists, and doing the right thing for the citizens of Maryland.

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
Severn MD Real Estate Specialist

The Crofton, MD that we see today began as a planned community in the mid-1960's. The two main builders were Crawford and Levitt. Over the years, Crofton, MD has expanded well beyond the original borders of Rt. 424, Rt. 450 and Rt. 3. Within the confines of those roads people are still considered to be living in Crofton Triangle. As you can well imagine, and thanks to Google Maps, we see that it actually does resemble a triangle.

Olde Crofton has wide, tree lined streets with many different styles of homes. Along the way, you'll also see a couple of townhouse sub-divisions, condos and rental apartments. Single family homes dominate the real estate market within Crofton Triangle. Today, homes within Crofton Triangle are in a special tax district, and are part of the Crofton Community Association. The special tax adds a couple of hundred dollars a year onto the County Taxes, and are used to primarily fund the Crofton Police Department, as well as maintenance of the extensive common areas.

Crofton, MD (inside the triangle) is home to many classic architectural styles. Below, you can see several, but there are many variations, making the Crofton, MD real estate market very robust.

Brick Rancher - Ranchers do tend to be favored by many home buyers in Crofton, MD. One level living, does appeal to those buyers who would prefer not to climb stairs. Ranchers in Crofton, MD tend to be 3 or 4 bedroom, with a large kitchen, formal dining room and living room, all on one level. Some have basements and family rooms as well.

Split Foyer - This style is characterized by the fact that when you enter a Split Foyer, half a flight of stairs brings you to the upper level, and half a flight down to the lower level. The upper level in Split Foyers contains the kitchen, LR/DR, and usually two or three bedrooms and one or two full baths. Many Crofton, MD home buyers prefer this style because the lower level usually contains a large family room, as well as additional bedrooms and bath.

Cape Cod -This is a Cape Cod style that I'm intimately familiar with, since it belongs to me and my wife. These models were highly configurable. I've been in dozens over the years...and they all look different inside. The main attraction to this model is the first floor Master. The first floor also has one or two other bedrooms, LR/DR, master bath and guest bath, Country Kitchen and laundry room. Upstairs is another two or three bedrooms and full bath. Mine also happens to have a family room addition and finished basement.

Colonial - If there were a "typical" Maryland house, the Center Hall Colonial would probably be on top of the list. The Center Hall Colonial is a favorite of Crofton, MD home buyers. All the bedrooms, 3 or 4, and usually two full baths are on the upper level, away from the main living level. Main level contains the kitchen, LR/DR, laundry room, half bath and family room.

Dutch Colonial - Another style that is quite popular in Crofton, MD is the Dutch Colonial. As you can see, it looks similar to the Center Hall Colonial, except for the design of the roof. The interior layout of the Dutch Colonial is quite similar to the Center Hall Colonial, with the bedrooms on the upper level.

Whatever style home you're looking for in the Crofton, MD real estate area...I can help.

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
Severn MD Real Estate Specialist