Fort Meade - USNA - Andrews AFB: April 2008

The Washington Post has a feature called PAGE THREE / Homework Headaches.  Readers submit homework assignments they were unable to help their children complete.  

I'd like to share today's column with you - a "puzzling encounter with 5th grade math"  - because there's a moral here for us in the real estate business.

The instructions were "Write operation signs in the following number sequences to make every equation true.  The first problem is done for you."

No peeking at the answer yet - give it a try. 

Applying this lesson to real estate

When we explain different financing options or other real estate matters to our clients, do our explanations sound a bit confusing, like the instructions in this 5th grade assignment?  Do our clients smile, nod their heads and just pretend to "get" it?  Are we sure they're not feeling a bit like we do as we look at this assignment and re-read the instructions a couple of times? 

Just a little food for thought. 

Next time you're explaining your client's options to them, let this graphic flash before your eyes as a reminder to take a deep breathe, slow down, and sincerely inquire if they understand.

 

Okay, the answer is at the bottom of this post.  Be honest - did you figure it out on your own or have to look?

(Someone on ActiveRain could probably write a long tutorial on how to solve this homework problem!  Tongue in cheek, of course, because it would probably be me.)

The answer to this is not so much a math problem as a matter of spacing.

Included in Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, and the U.S. Naval Academy.

There's more to moving than packing up your belongings and transporting them in a truck to your destination location.  Getting your life back to normal means hooking up your electronic equipment to make it functional again. 

Moving your piano is nothing, compared to this challenge.  After all, the movers perform all the heavy lifting, while the electronics hook-up is in your own hands and at the mercy of your time availability.

There's no way around it, a job transfer or PCS military orders mean you have to dis-connect your computer, printer, and other electronic equipment to relocate.  There's a risk of losing your data; you know how time-consuming it was to set up your computer and other equipment previously; and you cringe at the prospect of having to do it all over again at your destination.  

To avoid the risk of data loss and minimize the hassle of re-connecting your hi-tech equipment:

1.  Back-up all your data files. 

Store your computer data on a USB device, external hard drive, CD, DVD, or online; or create a hard-drive image back-up.

2.  Separate your back-up data from your computer. 

For example, if your computer is packed on a truck with your household goods, carry the back-up data in your car or mail it to your destination.  (I would probably make two or three back-ups, in an overabundance of caution.)

3.  Map your computer components.

Photograph your setup to help you remember it when you arrive at your destination; color-code or label cables and jacks; sketch a diagram of back panels on the equipment and label both switches and jacks for future reference.  (Again, I would probably make two or three copies of any photos or sketches.)

4.  Carefully pack and label your cables, copies of your diagrams and instructions, and small computer components.

Bundle together your cables and pack them with any diagrams and small components in a single box or container; then, clearly label it and designate which room to place it in at your destination.  Don't leave this up to professional packers, who surely will pack five cables in five separate boxes and your diagrams in another.

5.  Repeat steps 3 and 4 for your TV, VCR, Tivo, Stereo and any other electronic equipment.

Don't rely on your memory.  Again, color code cables and jacks; sketch a diagram of panels on the equipment and label your switches and jacks.  Bundle cables together and pack them with the piece of equipment or, if they're packed separately, be sure to identify them clearly.

 

There are other things to consider, as well, since it's likely you'll have different options available for Internet, phone and cable connection at your destination than you do now.   It might be a good idea for you to do a little detective work on your future options prior to your move - possibly even arrange for service to begin promptly when you move in to your new home. 

Determine if FIOS, DSL, cable or broadband service are available and find out if they're bundled with other services offered by the local cable or telephone company, since that could be a cost-cutting consideration.  Decide in advance if a wireless connection is something you want.  Think twice before changing your email address, as that could present other issues.

Then, of course, there are possible wiring issues at the next house.  When you have your home inspection or pre-settlement walk-through, make a sketch of existing wiring and jacks for Internet, Phone and Cable connections and ask the seller who their Internet, Phone and Cable providers are.  If you're comfortable with maintaining the same level of service they have, that may be your easiest option to get connected quickly.

A little preparation up-front, before you make your move, could go a long way towards expediting electronic hook-up at your new home. 

Check out Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, and the U.S. Naval Academy. 

WHO HOO!  ALL ABOARD!

Calling all kids!  (Kids of all ages) 

Sir Topham Hatt, the Controlloer of Thomas Railways,  will be on hand when you and your kids arrive at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore for a ride aboard Thomas the Tank Engine this weekend (April 25-28) and next (May 2-4). 

After your 25-minute train ride, your kids will want to watch the Thomas and Friends videos and enjoy the story-telling; then visit Imagination Station for arts and crafts.  Other themed activities included with your ticket are building with LEGO® DUPLO® bricks, temporary tatoos of Sodor and friends, and a few surprises.

While you're there, explore The B&O Railrod Museum, arguably the oldest and most comprehensive American railroad collection in the world.  In fact, this Baltimore site is considered the "birthplace of American railroading."  It's a great opportunity for you and your kids or grandkids to bring together your memories of playing with trains as a kid and today's phenomena, Thomas the Train. 

If you're not already well-acquainted with Thomas, take a few minutes to explore the web site. In fact, if your kids or grandkids have not already introduced you to Thomas and Friends, you'll probably have more fun playing on this website than you have since you were a kid playing with your own toy trains.

CLICK ON THE TICKET to order your tickets online or call 1-866-468-7630.  Advance purchase is recommended.

Downtown Baltimore is located just 20 miles from Fort George G Meade and 30 miles from the U.S. Naval Academy, two major landmarks in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month 

Check out Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, and the U.S. Naval Academy.

Let me assure you that slogan does not refer to the attitude of Maryland residents or visitors.  It refers to blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay.  In fact, Maryland is a very friendly place!

Maryland is for Crabs became an official tourism slogan of the State in 1989 when the Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) became Maryland's "State Crustacean".  By the way, Maryland is not the only place to have blue crabs in their waters; you'll find them in Virginia (also on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay), North Carolina, Louisiana, Florida, and Texas. 

Maryland Governor O'Malley and Virginia Governor Kaine recently appeared together to announce new regulations they hope will save a declining crab population in the Chesapeake and its tributaries.  To make a long speech short:  Crab harvesting will be severely limited in the foreseeable future. 

You know what happens when supply goes down:  prices go up.  Why not start your crab feast earlier in the day by going crabbing with your guests to catch your own crabs.  It might be fun!  No license is required when you crab from the many docks, piers, bridges, boats and miles of Maryland shoreline using dip nets or hand-lines. 

But keep in mind these new restrictions on recreational crabbing:

• No harvesting of female crabs, except for soft crabs.
• A limit of 4-5 dozen crabs per individual (must be licensed).
• A limit of 10-12 dozen crabs per boat (2 or more licensed crabbers on board).
• No crabbing after sunset on the Bay and tributaries.
• One-hour difference between recreational and commercial trotliners.

With this beautiful spring weather, what Marylander isn't already thinking CRAB FEAST?  Just be prepared to pay a pretty penny, if you don't catch your own.

RELATED LINK:

• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
• Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month 

Considering an Anne Arundel County waterfront home when you relocate to the D.C. area? 

Shady Side, where two of these homes are located, is just 30 miles from Andrews AFB and 35 miles from the White House.  The third property is located in Churchton, a little closer to Andrews and D.C.

It was chilly and overcast yesterday, but that didn't slow us down on our scheduled tour of waterfront properties.  Using my camera, these homes and waterviews were snapped by my buyers, and I'm providing a very brief description of these three properties I showed them.

House #1 - Four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, 88-year old home, located on one acre along the West River. 

Price:  $995,000
Taxes:  $8,362/yr.

House #2:

3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, 51-year old home, located on nearly 2 acres along the Chesapeake Bay

Price: $695,000
Taxes: $4,509

House #3:

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 50 year old home, located on Broadwater Creek with a view to the Chesapeake Bay. 

Price:  $999,000
Taxes: $4,998

180 other Anne Arundel County waterfront properties are on the market now for $1,000,000 or less:

Annapolis (22), Arnold (11), Churchton (4), Crownsville (2), Curtis Bay (5), Deale (5), Edgewater (11), Galesville (2), Glen Burnie (19), Lake Shore (5), North Beach (3), Orchard Beach (4), Pasadena (57), Riva (4), Severna Park (9), Shady Side (16), Tracys Landing (2), West River (2).

194 more Anne Arundel County waterfront properties are on the market for over a million dollars.

If you're active duty military or a mid-level government employee, and waterfront is over your budget, you may still enjoy some of Maryland's 17,000 miles of water by living in an Anne Arundel County water-access community.  Many of these neighborhoods have private beaches, marinas and/or boat ramps open only to property-owners and residents within the community. 

RELATED LINK:

• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
• Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month 

NEW TO MARYLAND?  Like to fish?  

You're in luck, because the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and local businesses are kicking off the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge in exactly two hours, 32 minutes and 8 seconds. 

You may have read my wrap-up of the Fishing Challenge in 2007, but I'm catching it at the beginning this year (yes, pun intended). 

 

Here's how the Maryland Fishing Challenge works:

Any angler who catches a citation award qualifying fish will be eligible to win one of several grand prizes including a boat and trailer from Bass Pro Shops, a 2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4, a prize package from Bill's Outdoor Center, and even a $5,000 diamond from Smyth Jewelers.

Beginning in early June, anglers will also have the opportunity to win up to $25,000 in cash, compliments of Boater's World, for the capture of Diamond Jim - one of many specially tagged striped bass that will be released - along with a number of imposters - at three major events. 

Now, you have to admit, THIS is a good excuse to go fishing!  In fact, $25,000 is almost enough to make me give it a try.  It's probably no more elusive than a ratified contract on real estate these days.

Now don't laugh.  I actually spent my honeymoon camping on an island and fishing somewhere in Canada - but that's a story for another day.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

• Entry form - 2008 Fishing Challenge
• Rules - 2008 Fishing Challenge
• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
  

______________________________________

Find a Home and learn about Real Estate Market Conditions in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.  Check out Today's Rates, use the free Mortgage Calculator, and watch a brief video about the Power of RE/MAX. 

While the Crofton real estate market is not what we'd like to see, there are some homes selling.  Let's take a look at the most recent month for which we have statistics from MRIS: 

Crofton sales were down over 40% in March from 2007 - only 29 homes sold in the entire zipcode during the last month.  However, that's 11 more homes than sold just a month earlier, in February, so I'm not complaining.

Crofton home prices held steady throughout 2007 - homes just took longer to sell than they did in 2006. Unfortunately, that's no longer true. The average sold price in March was down almost 10% for Crofton to $330,558, and the median sold price in March was down over 6% to $290,000.

Meanwhile, the length of time it took for homes to sell last month was up 39% from March 2007 - to 121 days.  That was 2.75 times the 44 days it took to sell a home in March 2006. 

Some homes are selling, as I mentioned earlier, in spite of lower prices and longer times on the market.  Pricing has never been more important, and terms are important, too.  If your home would have sold for $300,000 last year, remember that today's sale prices are almost 10% lower - that could mean $270,000 for the same property.

 WHAT'S FOR SALE NOW IN CROFTON:

If you have a home on the market now in Crofton that's price in the $200,000's, you have a lot of competition - 65 homes, to be exact.

42 homes are on the market in the $300,000's, 23 in the $400,000's, 34 in the $500,000's, 9 in the $600,000's.  Only 3 Crofton homes are priced over that.

Of the 176 homes now on the market, 72 are detached homes and the remainder are either townhomes or condos.

If you're thinking of buying a Crofton home, now is a good time, with rates hovering around 6%.  There are no guarantees rates like this will hold in the coming months, and this means now could be the lowest monthly cost you're likely to see. 

Consider a $250,000 Crofton home loan, for example:  At today's 5.75% for a fixed rate loan, the Principal and Interest payment is $1498.  The same $250,000 would be $1625 at 6.75% or $1791 at 7.75%.  

RELATED LINKS: 

• Previous real estate market updates for 2008, including February 2008, January 2008
• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland
• Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month 

Maryland offers three programs that may provide relief for homeowners concerned about increasing monthly payments or late payments on their mortgage.  Hopefully one of these programs will be just what you need for buying time to address whatever financial challenges you face.

"Denial" may be your greatest obstacle to avoiding a short sale or foreclosure.  Pretending there's no problem, leaving mail from your mortgage company unopened, and not answering your phone are three things that will NOT put you on a path to financial recovery.  (Sound familiar?) 

On the other hand, one of these three programs from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development may help.  Don't you owe it to yourself and your family to at least look into them?

1.  LIFELINE REFINANCE MORTGAGE PROGRAM 

Maryland's Community Development Administration's (CDA) Lifeline Refinance Mortgage program provides a refinancing option to Marylanders who may be facing difficulties after financing their homes with adjustable rate or other unfavorable mortgages, or with mortgages that no longer fit their financial situation. 

2.  BRIDGE TO HOPE

This statewide program, administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Community Development Administration (CDA), provides Maryland homeowners with short-term relief to maintain homeownership by preventing residential mortgage foreclosures resulting from borrowers experiencing financial difficulty caused by either a sub-prime or exotic mortgage, such as a negative amortization loan or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loan that has, or is preparing to, reset.

3.  HOMESAVER REFINANCE PROGRAM

The Community Development Administration's (CDA) Homesaver Refinance Mortgage Program provides a refinancing option to Marylanders who have sub-prime or exotic mortgages and are experiencing difficulties as a result of mortgage default, low credit scores and/or a mortgage greater than the current value of their home. The Maryland Housing Fund (MHF), the State's mortgage insurance agency, is the exclusive mortgage insurer for this program.

 

There are income and property value limits for all of these programs, so they won't work for everyone.  But you may be one of the many homeowners for whom Maryland DOES have a solution. 

If all this seems overwhelming, don't panic.  Give me a call and I'll put you in touch with one of the lenders approved by Maryland Community and Economic Development Association.

Thank you Bob Lockhoff, Wells Fargo Mortgage, for making me aware of these programs.

INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS:

RELATED LINK:

• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
• Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month 

CONSUMERS WIN AGAIN -

That's the most important result of the Military Relocation Contest, our goal when this contest was conceived.  Anyone who took the time to read the 70+ entries will attest to the benefits for consumers, thanks to the time, effort and expertise of ActiveRain members.  That level of participation is amazing, since the contest was restricted to ActiveRain members who live or work within 35 miles of a military installation. 

We had a different panel of judges for each of the four weeks, and each judge individually rated each post on a scale of 1-10 for content, appearance and following the guidelines.  Then, content and appearance were weighted, with content counting 60%, appearance 30%, and guidelines 10%.  Scores of the three judges were totalled each week to determine the weekly winner.  The scores for each week then carried forward, and tabulated at the end to determine the overall winners.

Many thanks to all the judges who took the time to read and rate the entries:  Rich Jacobson, Thesa Chambers, Donna Yates, Fran Gaspari, Katerina Gasset, Adam Waldman, Richard Bolen, Lisa Heindel, and Patricia Kennedy.

Okay, here are the winners:

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: 

JO SOSS, Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington.  Jo set a standard for all of us to follow in creating any relocation post.  As a military spouse herself, Jo appreciates what relocating families want to know, and she gave it to them!  Her posts were consistently content-rich and easy on the eye - take a look, if you haven't already.

JOHN S. MURPHY, Patrick AFB, Florida.  John is an ActiveRain Newbie, yet that didn't stop him from entering and creating a nice series of five relocation blogs for civilian and military personnel relocating to Patrick AFB.

 

CYNTHIA TILGHMAN, Camp Lejeune Marine Base, North Carolina.  Cynthia's posts were very family-friendly, and I'm sure she can expect some business from anyone who finds her relocation information online.

 

BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS:

In addition to these winning series, there were several individual posts that were absolutely outstanding.  Each of these entries came within a hair of Jo's winning post for the week they were submitted: 

 

 

SALLY CHEESEMAN - Hawaii Military Relocation Package - Schofield Barracks

 

 

 

CINDY JONES - Fort Belvoir Your Gateway to Fairfax County Virginia

 

 

MARK RYAN - Wright Patterson Air Force Base: General Information

 

 

LAWRENCE YERKES - Relocation Welcome Package: Fort Dix, New Jersey

I don't know about you, but I've just discovered wonderful bloggers to add to my subscription list.

Contest points will be posted in the coming days - hopefully within a week.  If you don't see them by next Monday, contact Rich Jacobson.  Since he's on the "inside" at ActiveRain, he's likely to be able to address things there better than I could.

If you posted a summary of your contest entries, I will link it to the appropriate military installation in the Military Relocation Directories.  If you didn't do that yet, please create one in the next day or two, and provide the link in the comments for Military Relocation Contest. 

A GIANT THANK YOU to everyone who honored the militay men and women and the civilians who support their mission by writing targeted relocation posts just for them.  Please continue doing this in the coming weeks and months, because there's a constant stream of relocating personnel to and from a military installation near you.  

Many thanks also to everyone who read and commented on these posts, because your encouragement helped several people to hang in there for four weeks. 

The Military Relocations Group was created by Rich Jacobson primarily for ActiveRain members who serve military communities. It is a place for us to network with other real estate professionals who have specific knowledge and experience working with active military and their dependents in the relocation process.

Relocating to Maryland?  Check out Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, and the U.S. Naval Academy.

More House 4 Less is more than a catchy blog title - it may be the magic formula that makes home ownership possible for you.  If you want to take advantage of this Buyers' Market to own a home or condo in Anne Arundel County, but you don't have a lot of cash on hand for down payment and closing, I have good news for you: 

Downpayment and closing cost help is available through the State of Maryland's More Houses 4 Less and House Keys 4 Employees Programs.

There are limits, of course, including: 

• Maximum income 
• Maximum sale price
• Participating employers for some programs
• Participating builders for some programs
• Approved lenders

But these are NOT your typical state-subsidized mortgage programs, and they're NOT limited to first-time homebuyers, so don't rule yourself out before checking with me.  Chances are you're eligible to buy a home in Anne Arundel County with one of these CDA loans.  Check with me to find out if you qualify, to learn what homes are eligible under this program, and to determine if your employer is participating in the partnership program.

Interest Rate:  All loans are fixed-rate, some up to 40 years, and today's rate ranges from 5.5% to 6.25%, depending on whether you pay points or receive up to a 3% grant.  (4/8/08)

I just happen to have two Crofton condos listed now that you can buy with CDA down payment and closing cost assistance through the More Houses 4 Less and House Keys 4 Employees Prgrams:

2054 Happy Lane, Crofton, MD  -

Probably the NICEST 2-bedroom Crofton condo on the market, with a beautiful view of the pond and open space, upgraded kitchen with granite counters, new carpet upstairs, laminate flooring downstairs, huge landscaped deck, updated bath, and a garage.  You won't have to spend a penny on fix-up when you move into this home, because it's already up-dated to the nines.  Priced in the $230's. 

1636 Fendall Court, Crofton, MD -

Maybe the best deal in Crofton for a 2-bedroom Crofton condo, since the seller is willing to provide closing cost assistance in addition to any grants from CDA.  Your kids can walk to Crofton Elemntary from here, and there's a tot-lot within sight of your kitchen window.   Ameridream/FHA is another option for financing this home.  Priced in the $230's.

 

Coming Soon:  3-bedroom Crofton rancher in the upper $300's.  Not yet listed.  Check with me, if you would like an advance peek at this home.

These programs are not limited to condos, however.  Chances are the detached home you want to buy in Ann Arundel County is eligible.  Click here to view all Crofton homes for sale. 

Many thanks to Bob Lockhoff of Well s Fargo Mortgage for keeping me updated about these programs and helping my clients obtain one of these Maryland CDA mortgage loans.

RELATED LINK:

• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
• Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month