We are all expecting it ...changes on the horizon with FHA are going to make business even more challenging.On several fronts, there are changes that are imminent that will affect how we do business with FHA buyers. First and foremost, we are all awaiting the announcement from FHA regarding its position on Seller Contributions that will be cut from a maximum of 6% to offset the closing cost on a purchase loan. That has been expected to be implemented by summer and be reduced to 3% which will impact each and every deal in a negative way. In our market, it is predictable that the required contribution from a seller to keep a buyer at their minimum 3.5% exposure would necessitate a 3.5%+ concession and with that disparity, typical FHA buyers can now expect to come to the table with more of... 07/27/2010

Alice in Wonderland? More like AGENTS in Wonderland. Rambling to Myself: Please tell me...someone, anyone(?) why some agents are pulling list prices out of their a$$e$ on a consistent basis?  My apologies upfront for the bluntness of my post, but, seriously, I've had enough.  Maybe it's my age. As I get older, my bullcrap'o'meter gets a little more sensitive and I find it difficult to stomach the agents that price their listings based on what the seller needs to get from the transaction. Whaa...? There's this thing called a CMA.  We learned how to do these in Real Estate 101.  We gather the facts - cold, hard, in-your-face data - and we base our conclusion - the suggested list price - on exactly those facts. We do not pull the list price out of the air - or more bluntly - our a$$. Note ... 06/26/2010

    I'm always on the hunt for cool graphics, fonts, pix, and the like. What can I say? I'm a renegade... Gotta change it up every now and again. How about you? Like the look of this cool font?  Get it for yourself at Kent Brewster's site. Is this kewl or what?   Just sayin' Lanette in Bel Air 06/23/2010

Me? I'm an old(er) broad.  I've been here a minute or two. Them? They're an accident waiting to happen. Ah, what to do...what to do?   It happens all the time; I see someone about to make a big mistake and I'm suddenly in a quandary.  Big mistake translates to financial and/or real estate-related.  It could be family, friend, stranger, or foe.  It's an equal opportunity type of situation.  It's the cousin who's decided he's going to take out a Pay Day loan to finance a spring break trip to Mexico. "Say what?", I manage to mutter. It's the neighbor who's decided to forego payment into his child's college fund the next couple of y... 06/23/2010

Maryland: Bel Air Town Run Welcome to Harford County Maryland. Now put your running shoes on and take a 3.1 mile jaunt through the town of Bel Air. This is the biggest 5K race in Harford County and this year it will be held on Sunday, June 6. Registration starts at 6:30 am in Shamrock Park. The race starts at 8:00 am on Bond Street near Office Street. The cost is $20 and if you are early enough, then you will probably get a Bel Air Town Run Tee Shirt. Any profit from the Town Run will benefit the RASAC Adult & Youth Programs and the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail. The course will meander through and around the attractive neighborhoods of Major's Choice, Oak Ridge, Shamrock, Harford Woods, and Oak Ridge. It is a great way to see the town, get some exercise, meet lots of people, and help a worthw... 06/04/2010

Any profit from the Bel Air Town Run will benefit the following organizations: RASAC Adult & youth ProgramsMa & Pa Heritage Trail *Race Packet Pick-up and registration: The Bel Air Athletic Club- June 3rd 7- 9 p.m. (Thursday)- June 4th between 7- 9 p.m. (Friday) Charm City Run in Bel Air on the following dates:- June 3rd 7- 9 p.m. (Thursday)- June 4th between 7- 9 p.m. (Friday)- June 5th 10-4 p.m. (Saturday) *Fees: $14 if postmarked by May 21st $20 for all entries after May 21st, including packetpickup & race day Make checks payable to: BEL AIR TOWN RUNRegistration on Sunday, June 6th will be held at Shamrock Park beginning at 6:30 to 8:00 a.m. You must be a registered runner or walker to be eligible for random prizes, cash awards, and t-shirt. SHIRTS AND SIZES ARE NOT GUARENTEED. PLEAS... 05/18/2010

A quick shout-out to the fool who decided to cut and paste his personal ad into one of my posts-- Here's a little cutting and pasting I did just for you.  Short, sweet, and to the point, it is...     Please fill out the form below to send a message to Lyle Allen. Be sure to provide your name and email address so that Lyle Allen knows how to contact you. Your Name: Email Address: Subject: Message: Don't even think about hijacking a post I've written ever again. How absolutely rude and unbelievably asinine of you to leave spam on a post I took the time to write (as opposed to the drivel you seem to be cutting and pasting everywhere). Get a friggin' life, you silly boy! Spam Prevention: What does the graphic say?     01/27/2010

Get Trained as a Home Stager - Bel Air, MD region (edit/delete) The Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) Course from Stagedhomes.com  - the industry leader in Home Staging Training - is coming to the Bel Air, MD - February 9th-11th. This class is being offered for both Realtors and Home Stagers that would like to earn a professional accreditation and designation for Home Staging.  Realtors attend the first 2 days (February 9-10) and learn about Home Staging as a listing and marketing tool, as well as things they can do to help their own clients prepare their houses for sale.  They become members of IAHSP - the only professional association that serves only Home Stagers and the Home Staging industry. Professional Stagers attend for 3 days - Feb 9-11 and learn about the real estate indus... 01/25/2010

Practice start-up or purchase/expansion, partner buy out/real estate or leasehold (Can include equipment, furniture or work capital) Loan Amounts:  $250,000 to $2,000,000Cash/Equity Injection:  10% of total project costsExperience:  Proper license and 2 yrs direct experience in the industryLoan Terms:  Term up to 25 years.  Fully amortized, NO balloonInterest Rates:  Dependent upon strength of practice                        Rates from P+1.25% - 2.5% variableCollateral:  No minimum for Start-ups up to $500,000.                 No minimum for Acquisitions to $1,000,000Personal Guaranty:  SBA requires from all 20% or more owners.Life Insurance:  Key man life insurance may be required. For more information:  Mike Gartside 877-893-1086 or Mike@AggressiveSolutionsLLC.com www.AggressiveSoluti... 10/19/2009

Now you can tap the money in 401ks and IRAs without incurring tax penalties! Great for Business Lines of Credit, Purchase Business/Franchise and more...http://tinyurl.com/ykmhunn    877-893-1086 ask for Mike 10/12/2009

Looking to purchase in Harford County in Bel Air? Consider a short sale. Below is a list of all the Harford County Maryland, Bel Air Short Sales. Owe more on your Harford County , Bel Air Maryland home than it is worth? No worries, call me to see if a SHORT SALE is right for you. I have worked numerous SHORT SALES with over 15 different lenders. With over 20 years of experience and a detailed SHORT SALE system I can get your home sold with NO cost to you, even if you are upside down on your loan.     KELLY WILLEY, SRES 410-937-5561  HARFORD COUNTY MARYLAND SHORT SALE AND FORECLOSURE SITE 06/09/2009

Hi y'all --- Just had to pass along this little ditty to all my friends and family.  You know who you are... Did you know that your kids can bowl free all summer long at AMF bowling centers? No? Didn't know that? Well...now you do! Just go to KIDSBOWLFREE.COM and sign your child(ren) up.  I did it for my two girls and they've been enjoying bowling since the beginning of May. The program goes throughout the summer ('til early September) and it's for children 15 and under.  There is the option for a family pass (I'm guessing this is how they make money off this deal...) where parents (grandparents, sitters...) can join in the fun as well.  It's quite a deal at $24. You don't have to purchase this to take advantage of the 'kids bowl free' option, though. I've really enjoyed bowling with my... 05/28/2009

Bel Air, Maryland WEEK 21 - 2009 Here’s the week in review for Real Estate Activity in Harford County’s Bel Air, Maryland (zip codes 21014 and 21015): For the week beginning Sunday, May 17th and ending Saturday, May 23rd,  the following statistics apply*—   Listings •    There were 24 (47) new listings that came on the market. •    List prices ranged from $129,000 to 550,000 ($139,900 - $679,975). •    0 (24) are currently under contract and/or sold •    13 (24) are single family properties, 5 (11) are townhomes , 5 (12) are condos. Sales •    There were 14 (17) homes sold for the week listed above. •    Sales prices ranged from $150,000 - 695,000 ($147,000 - $575 ,000). •    10 (10) were single family, 4 (4) were townhomes, 0 (3) were condos   If you’d like more information and/or have... 05/27/2009

Selling your home in today's marketplace is hard.  Selling your overpriced home in today's marketplace is downright MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE. You're doing yourself, your home, and your agent a huge disservice by overpricing your home in the current buyer's market.  Overpriced homes get shown last, if at all, and they sit un-sold much longer than homes that are priced right.  You think that old strategy of pricing higher than your absolute minimum acceptable sales price will work because now you're adding some ‘padding'?  Seriously?  You think that's a good strategy?  Uh...no, it's not.  It's a terrible strategy and it absolutely does not work in today's market.   Moreover, you're doing a great thing for your neighbors' agents.  You see, by pricing your home too high, you are helping to sell ... 04/05/2009

What will you be doing when the weather breaks? I fully expect the real estate market in Harford County to get HOT! I look forward to working with clients to find some great deals  - there are plenty to be had! - and then taking it easy on the bay - maybe catching some rockfish! 03/10/2009

Following is a synopsis of my newly revised Homebuyers Workshop.  We cover a lot of information in the workshop and it's divided into 13 sections.  Hmmm...where are my Triskaidekaphobians? Agents, feel free to borrow/use whichever portions you need for your own Workshop/Seminar!   Buying a House...It Ain't For The Faint Of Heart Subtitle: Wimps need not apply •1.       So, you want to buy a house? •2.       Homeownership, it ain't for everyone •3.       It's a mindset, Baby •4.       Choosing a Lender •5.       Whoa!  When's the last time you paid that bill? •6.       Choosing an Agent •7.       Finding your dream home •8.       Negotiate to win! •9.       Ready, set, go!...timeline to settlement •10.     Be sure to pencil in The six-hour Home Inspection •11.     Home is...where the mor... 02/27/2009

StagedHomes.com, an Accredited Staging Professional organization came to the Bel Air office of Keller Williams American Premier Realty on Febraury 3-5, 2009 to hold a certification class for anyone interested in earning their ASP designation. People from as far away as New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia made their way here for the class. Realtors from all over the county were invited as well as individuals who wanted to earn their staging designation.  According to Barb Schwarz, the founder of HomeStaged.com, Home Staging is the very best proven way to get top dollar for your home as you prepare it for sale. Homes that are Staged with an ASP Professional Home Stager sell faster and for more money! This is because Staging sets the scene throughout the house to create immediate buyer inte... 02/17/2009

Everything you always wanted to know about Bel Air maryland in Harford County..... BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS: Robert M. Preston (Chairman)David E. CareyTerence O. HanleyEdward HopkinsRobert J Reier joliver@belairmd.org 410.638.4550 410.879.2711 TOWN ADMINISTRATOR: Christopher G. Schlehr cschlehr@belairmd.org 410.638.4550 410.879.2711 ADMINISTRATION/HUMAN RESOURCES: Joyce A. Oliver, Director joliver@belairmd.org 410.638.4550 410.879.2711 Personnel: Position openings, applications and Americans with Disabilities Coordinator and Employee Benefits.Cultural Arts: Position openings, applications and Americans with Disabilities Coordinator and Employee Benefits.Special Events: Coordinator for special events (Town sponsored and events on public property)Town Clerk: Coordinator for Board of Co... 02/15/2009

  WINE EXPO 2009  Sunday Feb 22, 3 pm An afternoon of wine, delectable hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Enjoy sampling wine from around the world while representatives from 35 wine companies share their knowledge. Sponsored by Ronnie's Beverage Warehouse, Inc. and the HCC Alumni and Friends Association. Proceeds benefit the HCC Alumni and Friends Association. Minimum Age: 21. www.harford.edu/cultural. Where: Harford Community College Susquehanna Center. Admission:  $40. Contact: 410-836-4211 SEARCH HARFORD COUNTY MARYLAND REAL ESTATE Harford County Maryland Real Estate FREE List of FORECLOSURES and SHORT SALES      I have lived in Maryland all my life and been an active real estate professional for the last 20 years. I have worked with numerous foreclosures, short sales, pre foreclosures, H... 02/15/2009

Bel Air, Harford County Maryland...things to do.   Friday February 20, 2009 at 7:30 THE WASHINGTON BALLET STUDIO "WHO CARES?" 7:30 pm A fun and fresh introduction to the ballet featuring The Washinton Ballet Studio Company in Balanchine's saucy Who Cares? including other family favorites from The Washington Ballet repertoire. $12 - $24. www.harford.edu/cultural. Where: Harford Community College Contact: 410-836-4211 SEARCH HARFORD COUNTY MARYLAND REAL ESTATE Harford County Maryland Real Estate FREE List of FORECLOSURES and SHORT SALES      I have lived in Maryland all my life and been an active real estate professional for the last 20 years. I have worked with numerous foreclosures, short sales, pre foreclosures, HUD homes and bank owned properties.  If you have a home to sell in Baltim... 02/15/2009