Maryland Real Estate Consultant

There are many wonderful grant programs;

here is one of many programs that I think is well worth mentioning.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

The program helps eligible low-income households through the installation of energy conservation materials in their dwelling units. These measures both reduce the consumption of energy and the cost of maintenance for these homes. Priority is given to homeowners who may be elderly, disabled, have families with children, and/or have the highest energy consumption. Eligible renters may apply and will be given due consideration in accordance with the Weatherization Assistance Program's Rental Property Investment Program.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Persons interested in receiving WAP services may apply to the local agency who serves the political jurisdiction in which they reside. Applications can be made, directly or through the Maryland Energy Assistance Program. For a dwelling unit to be considered "qualified," the household must meet the following criteria:

•Customer must be income eligible (150% of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget Poverty Guidelines); and

•Customer must be able to prove ownership. In the case of a rental unit, customer's property owner must prove ownership and agree to participate and invest.

Special Information

Once eligibility is determined, a representative from the local agency will visit the home to perform an energy audit. Depending on the existing condition of the dwelling, service delivery options may include, but may not be limited to the following:

•health and safety items

•hot water system improvements

•lighting retrofit

•blower door air infiltration reduction

•insulation in the attic, floors, walls

•furnace clean/tune, safety repairs, burner retrofit or replacement

How to Apply

Weatherization Assistance Program services are provided to eligible customers through a network of 16 local government or nonprofit organizations that serve all 24 political subdivisions. I initially was only going to submit Howard County and the surrounding areas but here is the complete list of local contacts by county:

Allegany 301-777-5970

Harford 410-879-2283

Anne Arundel 410-879-2283

Howard 410-313-6440

Baltimore City 443-984-1066

Kent 410-778-6000

Baltimore County 410-285-6700

Montgomery 240-777-3689

Calvert 301-883-5570

Prince Georges 410-879-2283

Caroline 410-778-6000

Queen Anne's 410-778-6000

Carroll 410-386-3600

St Mary's 301-870-3770

Cecil 410-879-2283

Somerset 410-749-1142

Charles 301-870-3770

Talbot 410-778-6000

Dorchester 410-879-2283

Washington 410-879-2283

Frederick 301-694-1506

Wicomico 410-749-1142

Garrett 301-334-9431

Worcester 410-749-1142

Take advantage of these programs. This is a wonderful division they are friendly and very helpful.

Keep your home safe and healthy.

When You Sell because of Divorce

If you and your spouse decide to sell your home, it will be important to work together through a professional to maximize your return. Differences aside, you both should be present when a listing contract is put together. Both of you should understand and sign this contract, and both should be active in the ultimate negotiations. By working together, you can maximize your equity; I have seen divorcing homeowner's loss money because of stubbornness and anger and a few couples file Bankruptcy. Many times the extra hardship could have been avoided.

When You Buy Your Next Home

Use the proceeds from your previous home or buy out to determine an affordable price range for your next home. Maintain a clear focus on getting the right home to suit your new situation. You may wish to review with an agent who offers a house-hunting service to help find a home that matches your new home buying criteria.  This is a tough time, try to keep a cool head and use business common sense and you can get through this ordeal and work toward getting a fresh start.

You have four basic housing options when in the midst of a divorce:

1. Sell the house now and divide the proceeds.

2. Buy out your spouse.

3. Have your spouse buy you out.

4. Retain your ownership.

It is important for you to understand the financial implications of each of these scenarios.

1. Sell the House now and divide the Proceeds

Your primary consideration under these circumstances is to maximize your home's selling price. We can help you avoid the common mistakes most homeowners make which compromise this outcome. As you work to get your financial affairs in order, make sure you understand what your net proceeds will be - i.e. after selling expenses, and after determining what your split of the proceeds will be. Note that the split may not be 50/50, but rather may depend on the divorce settlement, the source of the original down payment, and the legislative property laws in your area.

2. Buy out Your Spouse

If you intend to keep the house yourself, you will have to determine how you'll continue to meet your monthly financial obligations, if you now only have one salary. If you used two incomes to qualify for the old loan, refinancing on your own might be a challenge.

3. Have Your Spouse Buy You Out

If you are the one who is leaving, you have the opportunity to start again in new surroundings with cash in your pocket. However, be aware that if the old home loan is not refinanced, most lenders will consider both you and your spouse as original co-signers to be liable for the mortgage. This liability may make qualifying for a new mortgage difficult for you if you decide to purchase a home, even though you won't have legal ownership.

4. Retain Joint Ownership

Some divorcing couples postpone a financial decision with respect to the home and retain joint ownership for a period of time even though only one spouse lives there. While this temporary situation means you have no immediate worries in this regard, keep your eye on tax considerations that may change from the time of your divorce to the time of the ultimate sale.

Divorce is a tough situation which opens up many emotional and financial issues to be solved. One of the most important decisions is what to do about the house.

In the midst of the heavy emotional and financial turmoil, what you need most is some non-emotional, straightforward, specific answers. Once you know how a divorce affects your home, your mortgage and taxes, critical decisions are easier. Neutral, third party information can help you make logical, rather than emotional decisions.

Probably the first decision is whether you want to continue to living in the house. Will the familiar surroundings bring you comfort and emotional security, or unpleasant memories? Do you want to minimize change by staying where you are, or sell your home and move to a new place that offers a new start?

Only you can answer these questions, but there will almost certainly be some financial repercussions to your decision process. What can you afford? Can you manage the old house on your new budget? Is refinancing possible? On the other hand, is it better to sell and buy? How much house can you buy on your new budget? The purpose of this report is to help you ask the right questions so you can make informed decisions that will be right for your situation.

Stay tune for several options that may get your through this emotional times.

Home Warranties

Many home purchasers erroneously assume that the Seller is always somehow liable when there is a defect or failure found in the home is cooling, heating, plumbing, and electrical and/or appliances after the Buyer moves in.  Unless otherwise provided for in the contract however, risk of loss often falls on the Buyer.  Even where the contract provides that heating, plumbing, pool & equipment, electrical, etc. be "operative" on or until date of possession, disputes can always arise as to when the breakdown occurred, who is responsible, how the repairs are to be funded, and when repair are to be made.

Offering a Home warranty also makes your home more appealing, especially to first time homebuyers who are already on edge about the process of buying a home.

Home warranty plans go a long way to alleviate these risks and concerns.  For a modest price (currently basic coverage is $299 to $399, slightly more for optional coverage), Seller can provide to Buyer a one year warranty covering, specified heating, plumbing, electrical, water heater or appliance breakdowns.

Coverage under most plans commences at closing (although some can be made to commence during the listing period as well). Sellers can purchase a combo warranty, which covers the property during the listing period and after sell carries over to the new buyer.   

In all cases, there are important limitations and exclusions (example: appliances/systems must be operative at commencement of coverage).

How to Buy Your First Home... the Easy Way! Avoid the Most Common Frustrating Mistakes First-Time Home-Buyers Make.

Buying a residence can be a scary experience, a roller coaster of emotions as you try to find the right place, secure the loan and finally move in.

For most of us, the first time home purchase is the largest investment we've ever considered. The emotions of buying something so expensive and personal can often cloud our business judgment.

Most home purchasers do little or no research before they invest their money. Doesn't it make sense to become as completely informed as possible before you buy your first home? This special report is designed to help you avoid common and crucial mistakes.

The right real estate professional can help you make sound business decisions based on your personal situation.

•1  Inspect, Inspect and Inspect- Go over the inspection report with a fine tooth comb. Make sure the report was done by a professional organization. There are many inspection companies, ask around or ask your realtor for a list of reputable inspectors.

For condo purchases, go over the by-laws and Association Fees. Don't take anything for granted... inspect everything!

•2  Imagine the Property Vacant- Your furnishings and decorations will be the ones filling this new residence. Don't be swayed by beautiful furniture; it leaves with the owner. The home must accomodate your furniture and decorating ideas.

•3  Income + Lifestyle = Mortgage Payment- Sit down with your professional real estate agent and honestly discuss your income level and living expenses. Take into account future considerations, children, add-ons, amenities and fix-ups. Your dream home is certainly worth a sacrifice, but don't mortgage your entire future.  

•4  View Several Homes- See at least 5-8 properties. Don't move too slowly, but don't move on the first property you see. With your agent's help, you should be able to view enough properties to get a good overall perspective of the home market. When you find the right property, all the leg work will be worth it.

•5  Utilize Your Team- By aligning yourself with the right real estate professional, you will have an entire team at your disposal. Utilize your lender, title rep and agent. Each of them should work hand in hand for your benefit. Explore all the options before you sign.

The ABC's of Safety

•    Carry a cell phone in your pocket and program it to dial 911 at the touch of a button.

•    Never work at a public open house by yourself.

•    Do not show vacant properties by yourself unless you know your customers.

•    Carry pepper spray or mace in your pocket, but be sure to get the type that can be aimed at a specific target (some are general and might affect you as much as they do your attacker).

•    Let your customers enter a room while you stay by the door.

•    Pay attention to exits.

•   Always verify Customer information.

•   Do not feel shy about asking customers for their telephone number and physical address. check the number, name and address on Google to see if you get a match in return.

•   Have customer come to your office.

•   Do not meet unknown customers at a property.

•   Make sure you let the office, a friend or family know the location of the homes you will be showing.

•   Never get into a car with someone you don't know.

•   Better yet, have the customer follow you.

We all have to be cautious, woman and men. Let's all be alert.

Part 2

Should You Own Your Home? The American Dream Of Home-ownership Isn't Right For Everybody... Or Is It?

Other Considerations:

Maintenance

Buying: Any maintenance must be done and paid for by you. Home maintenance costs average about 1% of your home's value per year.

Renting: You typically are responsible for very little maintenance and maintenance costs when you rent.

Time to Move

Buying: If and when you want to move, you will have to sell your home first.

Renting: Your only concern is fulfilling your lease.

A Place to Call "Home"

Buying: You have the right to remodel and redecorate at your discretion. You own it; you can do with it what you wish.

Renting: You have very little flexibility besides decorating the home. Carpet, wallpaper, paint, etc. are all items that the landlord will change at his discretion with little or no input from you.

We sincerely hope these tips and ideas are of value to you. If there is any way I can be of service, please contact my office @ 240-472-9008.

Part 1

Should You Own Your Home? The American Dream Of Home-ownership Isn't Right For Everybody... Or Is It?

Weighing the pluses and minuses of home-ownership...Buying a home can be one of life's most exciting and yet most challenging experiences.

With the numerous loan programs available to consumers today, it is easier than ever to get into a house. However, the question remains, "Should you own your own home or rent?"

There are many benefits to owning a home, but there are also just as many tradeoffs. To help you decide if owning a home is right for you, we've listed the pros and cons of buying versus renting.

Equity

One of the most common complaints among renters is the discouraging feeling that you are simply throwing your money down the drain. This is typically true for the homeowner who lives in a specific house for a long time.

However, building equity isn't an automatic universal truth. In some cases the property values are too high to start with, so the resell just won't net you a profit. In other cases, the property values don't increase at all. In truly depends on your area, Columbia and Howard County has had steady appreciation year after year.

Buying: You build your equity with every payment made. For the first half of the mortgage, most of each payment is interest.

However, every month some part does go towards your principle. Your equity will fluctuate as the market value of your home changes. Over time though, history has shown us that building equity in a home is a smart investment.

Renting: You pay for a place to live, period. While you have a lease for a certain time period, you are not investing in the home. The plus side is you have no responsibility for ongoing repairs, but you are also not building equity. However, you are investing for the landlord. You are essentially making the landlord's payment and building her equity.

Monthly Payments: In many cases, depending on the home that you plan to purchase, your monthly payments will likely be comparable to your current rent or quite possibly much higher.

Many first time buyers purchase a "starter home." This may be a smaller or an older home that can be purchased at an affordable cost.

As mentioned above, you can begin to build equity in this home and you can then upgrade to a more expensive home in a few years.

Buying Costs: These can fluctuate somewhat on a yearly basis over the first few years due to escrow adjustments. After this initial adjustment period, however, your payment could be fixed for the remainder of the loan, assuming you opt for a fixed interest rate.

Renting: Costs are fixed at least for the term of the lease (generally 1 year) but usually increase after the lease expires.

Up-front Costs: Up-front costs are possibly the most misunderstood aspect to the home purchase and the one that keeps most renters from even researching a purchase. The perception that you must have a huge down payment to purchase a home is no longer accurate in most cases today.

Buying: Typically requires a larger investment than renting initially. However, there are many programs that require very little for down payment.

Renting: Usually does not require as much up front as buying, but still requires fees such as deposit, pet deposit, 1st month's rent and possibly more.

Tax advantages: One of the most advantageous aspects to home-ownership.

Buying: There are significant tax advantages to home-ownership.

Interest that you pay on your mortgage and property taxes are all deductible.These deductions can make a huge impact on your federal and state tax returns.

Renting: Renting offers no tax advantages. Only your landlord will reap tax benefits that are available.

Part two will be posted soon.