When shopping for Laurel real estate or any Maryland real estate, there is something every buyer needs to know.  Those great prices you see out there, the ones that are real low......the lowest of the low....are not move-in ready. Thats right!  A house for sale at $200,000 in a neighborhood that normally sells for $300,000 is probably not going to be in good shape.  You will probably need to put some money into it before you move in.  Sometimes you wont even get the loan because the lender feels the house needs to much work.  The fantasy of the foreclosure/short-sale immaculate home at a rock bottom price that the seller has to sell, is just that, a fantasy.  In addition, this foreclosure/short-sale home transaction is gonna have a few bumps along the way to settlement.  You, the buyer,... 11/08/2008

If you buy Laurel real estate, don't let this happen to you. My client insisted on looking at a particular short sale property.  She listened to my warnings about them, but we viewed the property anyway.   The home was very nice and my client decided to make an offer.  I spoke with the listing agent who seemed very positive about getting me a prompt response from the seller and the bank. This short sale had two loans on it, a first trust and a second trust.  The listing agent assured me that once the first trust agreed to the sales price, the second trust usually agrees fairly quickly.  The danger in dealing with a short sale that has two loans on it, is the second trust not cooperating in a timely manner.  It is understandable that the second, smaller, trust would take longer to agree ... 11/07/2008

According to the Laurel Leader the voter turnout in Laurel MD was very large.  The article mentioned three different polling sites in Laurel.  Poll workers reported heavy turnouts at the Phelps center in the city of Laurel MD.  Laurel Woods Elementary poll workers indicated they never got a break and the flow of voters was steady.  The Cypress Street Community Center also reported a large turnout of voters.  According to the article  2600 of the 3700 registered voters in Laurel MD had voted by 7 p.m. Who did all these people vote for?  Barack Obama received 60 percent of the vote and John McCain received 39 percent of the vote.  Maryland is traditionaly a Democratic state.  However, before the current Democratic Govenor O'Mally, Maryland elected Republican Mark Erlich for one term. For ... 11/05/2008

I love election day.  It is so exciting that all over the country everybody is doing the same thing.   People in Maryland are focused on the same thing as people in California.  As one person put it many years ago, Election day is our Bloodless Revolution. Here in Laurel MD we had some long voting lines, but if you voted after the morning rush hour, you didn't wait long.  People who went early waited over an hour to vote, but I only waited about 15 minutes.  The polls had many people equipped to handle the expected heavy turnout. Important issues in Laurel MD included wheather to allow slots our not.  Also, the referendumn on increasing the tax on phone bills to raise money for education.  And ofcourse the referendumn on having early voting for all of Maryland in the future. Hope you go... 11/04/2008

Its true.  In sixteen out of the last seventeen presidential elections, the party in power is voted out when the Washington Redskins lose the game before the election.  Read about it in your Washington Post sport section this morning. The Steelers were the better team last night.  All good football fans in Laurel MD know that.  The Steelers were able to shut down the Redskin offense.  I think the Redskin defense played well, they just were out on the field way too much. I walked to the polling place this morning.  Waited in line for about 15 minutes voted and left.  They had a lot of people there to handle the expected high turnout.  I must say I think they did a great job while I was there at Bond Mill Elementary school.  My timing was real good, had I got there an hour earlier, I woul... 11/04/2008

Great news for all first time home buyers of Laurel real estate.  The federal government will give all first time home buyers a $7500 tax credit the first year they own their home.  In fact, this credit is available to all first time home buyers of any Maryland real estate. What this means is, if you buy a home the government will give you a $7500 credit the first year you are in the home.  If you don't owe any money on your taxes the government will send a check for $7500.  If you do owe money, the tax credit will defer some of that debt. A few important items regarding this tax credit.  The $7500 is actually a no-interest loan payable back at $500 a year over 15 years. One possible strategy for first time home buyers is to borrow the $7500 from a family member and pay them back when t... 11/03/2008

For those of us living in Laurel real estate, Holloween was an interesting time last night.    I was visited by so many cute little bears, dragons, princesses, robots, witches, batman, superman, and some things that I have no idea what they were.  All the little kids were so adorable as they said, 'trick or treat?'.  Sometimes, the children came one or two at a time.  Other times, it seemed like a whole classroom of kids came to my door at the same moment.  The visits started just just after 6:30 p.m. and continued till about 8:40 p.m.  It was nice to see so many parents out with the children.  Whenever I saw a parent, I always offered them some candy.  I feel good about my West Laurel MD community that many parents participate in Holloween.  Haveing the adults around makes the night fe... 11/01/2008

This is a Laurel Maryland real estate update for Saturday November 1, 2008.  As of today Saturday November 1, 2008 there are currently 212 homes for sale in Laurel Maryland.  These are fee simple homes for sale and detached single family homes.  Laurel Maryland is located in Prince Georges County Maryland just north of Washington DC.  Laurel has a great homes and some great subdivisions with reasonably priced single family detached fee simple homes for sale. Below is a current list of activity on single family homes for sale in Laurel. 212 'Active' -  Laurel Maryland Homes 1 'Cntg/KO' - Laurel Maryland Homes 17 'Cntg/NO KO' - Laurel Maryland Homes 21 'Contract' - Laurel Maryland Homes Find Homes for sale in Laurel Maryland 10/31/2008

According to an Article in the Laurel Leader, people who live around  Laurel real estate, and anyone in Maryland, can visit Shane's Rib Shack  for a free meal on election day.  Shanes Rib Shack is located in the Centre at Laurel shopping center at the intersection of Baltimore Ave and Contee Rd. The free meal will consist of a three piece chicken tenders, fries and a 20 oz soda.  This promotion begins at 11 a.m. on November 4th.  You probably should bring your sticker you get from the voting station that says you voted. Nice to see another Laurel MD business doing their part to encourage voting. Visit my web site for more information about Maryland real estate. 10/31/2008

If you own Laurel real estate, you already know about the great sense of community we have here.  Today and tonite is another example of that community spirit.  First, today at around noon, the Bond Mill Elementary School in Laurel MD will have its annual Holloween Walk up Sherwood Ave.  All the students and many of the teachers will parade up and down Sherwood Ave to the delight of parents and other members of the community. Then tonite, between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. is the annual Trick Or Treat Walk on Main Street in Laurel MD.  Most businesses and even some churches will be handing out candy to children tonite who are in costume. This event draws a big crowd and is a lot of fun.  Parents like it because it is safe and local.  Many businesses see it as way to participate in the communi... 10/30/2008

Vote! Everyone who has purchased or is considering purchasing any Laurel real estate, needs to vote.  Even if you are not going to buy any Maryland real estate, you need to vote.   And I don't mean blindly vote.  Read something and make some sort of informed choice.  Dosn't have to be much, but at least have some idea of why you are voting. I love American history.  I am currently reading a book about James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.  I have seen and read numerous things about Nazi Germany.  The Germans voted the Nazi's into power and then Hitler took their right to vote away from them.  He wanted to do that to many people.  Many Americans died so that we could be free.  For me, not to vote would be an insult to them. I don't care who you vote for, but get out t... 10/29/2008

Last week I was sitting at my computer looking at all this Laurel real estate for sale, when the phone rang.  It was a loan officer I had not heard from in months.  He was calling to just say, "hi" and see how I was doing.  We exchanged updates and then I politely said "good bye". A few minutes later the phone rang again.  This time it was another loan officer.  He was calling just to "touch base" with me.   I asked him how things were going and he told me he wished he had more business.  I asked this loan officer if he had money to lend and he said, "I have plenty of money, just need someone who wants to use it" Despite all this horrible news we hear on the TV and the radio or read about in the paper, lenders still have money to lend.  In my discussion with some buyers, I realize they ... 10/27/2008

Sorry I didn't write about Laurel real estate this past weekend.  My wife and I attended a wedding in Indiana, PA.  A friend of my daughter's was getting married.    The wedding was nice and we got some great pictures as well.  The drive up to PA was not too pleasent because of the weather.  However, I always enjoy the time alone with my wife.  She and I enjoy taking road trips with each other.     The ride home was absolutly wonderful.  The weather was clear and there was not a cloud in the sky.  The trees were beautiful.  So many great colors as we drove through the mountains.  Very inspiring.  The scenery was an incredible landscape all the way home.  Surprisingly, the trees were beautiful all the way home to Laurel MD. One other thing I want to mention.  While we were driving throug... 10/26/2008

Forgive me if this sounds salesy - Recently signed up as a walk in affiliate office and I wanted to share it with this community at large for the free services it offers Realtors, lenders, brokers, home owners, FSBO's, etc. ABOUT RENT OR SALE PROPERTIES Rent or Sale Properties is a large real estate advertising network with walk-in locations across the United States and online! Not only is Rent or Sale Properties an online enterprise with global reach, we also have Customer Service Locations. We offer services to renters, for-sale-by-owners, landlords, buyers, and real estate agents who wish to advertise or search for residential and commercial properties for rent, sale, lease, etc. All members of Rent or Sale properties can search for properties, realtors, and service providers on our ... 10/24/2008

I was watching the news this morning.  A couple of economist were discussing issues very relavent to Laurel real estate, in fact all of Maryland real estate. Surprise! Surprise!  The topic was the economy.  As some of you know, former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan testified before congress yesterday.  Greenspan said he wash "shocked" at how the economy was reacting.  He said flat out that he was "wrong" about what he originally thought would happen.  He expected the economy to bounce back by now. The two economist stressed the way to turn the economy around is to stop the "housing crisis".  Both men seemed adament that foreclosures must stop.  If the housing market keeps tumbling, more homes will end up in foreclosure increasing the already large supply of homes for sale.  This would driv... 10/24/2008

Here is something that will affect Laurel real estate, the ICC.  I just got an email about something called the MD 29/198 Corridor Improvement Project.  The person who sent me this email feels this is the old ICC route that was headed twords Laurel MD.  There is going to be an informational workshop at James Blake H.S. 300 Norwood Rd. Silver Spring MD 20905 on Tuesday November 18th 2009.  The workshop will be from 5:30 to 8:30 that night. According to the email, the purpose of the workshop is to obtain information regarding  possible environmental impacts.  Also you can get an update as to where they are in the planning stage and any possible alternatives.   People will be able to walk thru a set-up presentation and ask questions of officials who will be present.  For more information v... 10/23/2008

Some mornings I wake up around 5 a.m., put on my sweat suit and running shoes and head out the door for a five mile walk.  My five mile walk takes me through all the Laurel real estate I am trying to sell.  I walk down Bond Mill Rd and make a right turn on Riding Stable Rd.  I walk by West Laurel pool.  In the summer I can see the swim team practicing, now its just dark and cold.  I cross over Interstate 95 and see all the cars heading to work.  I pass Dorsett Lane and walk for about a quarter mile more.  The bulk of my walk is spent on Riding Stable Rd.  After I pass Dorsett, I turn around and walk back.  When I get back on Bond Mill, I walk all the way down to Route 198 before heading home. Though it is cold and now very dark, I always see several others walking along my path as well.... 10/22/2008

Well here is a pretty important topic for Laurel real estate,........should we allow slot machines at Laurel Race Track?  This topic will be on the ballot on Novermber 4th.  This issue is commonly referred to as Question 2.  I was at a meeting on this topic last night at Bond Mill Elementary in Laurel MD.  It was a panel discussion with two people for allowing slot machines in Maryland and two other people against.  A local Maryland state delegate from North Laurel in Howard County and the Maryland Secretary for the ageing were for the slot machines.  A maryland delegate representing parts of Laurel MD and Beltsville MD, and a local pastor were against slot machines. A brief summation of the discussion might be this;  The people for Question 2 (allowing slots) don't have enough money in... 10/21/2008

I'd like a really good turnout for this event Monday evening. This issue isHUGE for us with our proximity to Laurel Racetrack. If Question 2 passes onNov. 4, we could be looking at a venue with 3,500 or so slot machines within afew miles of the neighborhood. Please pass this on to your neighbors andfriends throughout the Laurel area and post it on list services. The event isNOT limited to West Laurel residents. In fact, one of the elected officialsparticipating is Delegate Frank Turner (speaking in favor of Question 2) whorepresents North Laurel. Details follow: Time/Date: Monday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m. Place: Bond Mill Elementary16001 Sherwood Avenue, Laurel, 20707 Event: Panel discussion/debate with two speakers in favor of Question 2 andtwo opposed. Each speaker will have 5-10 minutes to la... 10/20/2008

According to the Laurel Gazette, Laurel Woods Elementary teacher Paul Carpenetti won a thousand dollars worth of supplies.   The supplies were awarded to Mr. Carpenetti as part of A Day Made Better program.  This program is co-sponsored by Officemax and nonprofit Adopt-A-Classroom.  The goal of this event is to help teachers purchase classroom supplies.  Many teachers who work in the Laurel real estate area have trouble purchasing supplies for their students.  In fact, many schools located in the Maryland real estate area have a shortage of supplies.  Carpenetti won the award because of his great rapport with teachers, students, administration and parents. He was nominated by CeCe Clement the Howard County schools purchasing manager.  Included in the prizes were a new office chair and a... 10/18/2008