Black Friday Holiday Shopping- What was I thinking? My Team mate, Jen Demanincor and I said we were going to head out on BLACK FRIDAY and experience what all the fuss was about. Walmart was advertising a deal on the I-Pod Touchthat seemed to be worth getting up at an insane time of morning for. $225 with a $50 gift card to Walmart. Walmart in Columbia, MD opened at 5am, but I was a little slow to move this morning. I arrived in the parking lot around 5:45.  NOT AN OPEN PARKING SPACE IN SIGHT.  I parked almost 2 parking lots away and walked to the store.   There were no shopping carts and men with vests that said "EVENT STAFF" were directing human traffic with walky talkies. Inside the store was a mess. Merchandise all over the floors, bare racks and hundreds and hundreds of people. EVER... 11/26/2010

Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 11/24/2010

Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046   11/17/2010

Ellicott City Columbia Maryland - No Money Down Zero Down Home Mortgage Loans Money Magazine ranked Ellicott City and Columbia as the second best place to live in it annual survey of "100 Best Places To Live In America."  What makes owning a home even better in Ellicott City or Columbia is the ability to purchase a house No Money Down, No Monthly Mortgage Insurance, and when you work with the right Mortgage Lender and Realtor No Out-Of-Pocket Closing Costs.  There are many areas within Columbia and Ellicott City that qualify for no money down financing through the USDA Rural Development Program.  That's "No Money Down Financing" as in No Down Payment, 100% Mortgage Financing, and Zero Down Mortgage Loan. Yet there's more!  In addition to the 100% Mortgage Financing this loan program has... 11/17/2010

Open House in Columbia. November 14th 2010.   9016 Early April Way in Kings Contrivance. 1pm till 3pm   LinkedTube 9016 Early April Way COLUMBIA, MD Spacious Columbia Townhome with all the Trimmings 4BR/3+1BA Townhouse $325,000 Year Built 1983 Sq Footage 1,635 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking 2 Lot Size 1,379 sqft HOA/Maint $38 per month DescriptionWhat more could you want in Columbia? A SPACIOUS 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath townhome that has been lovingly taken care of. Sparkling eat in Kitchen, HUGE Master Bedroom, updated Bathrooms and great Howard County Schools Property Features Central A/CCentral heatFireplaceWalk-in closetHardwood floorTile floorFamily roomLiving roomDining roomDishwasherRefrigeratorStove/OvenMicrowaveGranite countertopStainless steel appliancesBase... 11/13/2010

Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046   11/10/2010

Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 11/04/2010

  COLUMBIA MD: THE DODEK DENTAL GROUP PAYS CASH FOR CANDY ON ELECTION DAY! Two Columbia, MD area dentists are redefining the phrase “put your money where your mouth is.”  Tomorrow, November 2, 2010, trick-or-treaters (i.e. kids) can bring their excess candy to the Dodek Dental Group's office in Columbia, MD and receive $1 per pound.  Dr. Sam Dodek and Dr. Niki Dodek Gorman are leading this anti-decay movement by giving away dollars and goodie bags in exchange for cavity-provoking candy. There is a limit ~ 5 pounds of candy per kid for the first 500 pounds and goodie bags while they last. The candy will then be shipped overseas and shared with our troops. We all love Halloween but their are limits!!! Have your kids pick a few of their favorite pieces, and sell the excess. Candy will be c... 11/01/2010

Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 10/27/2010

Last year FHA announced that they will be beginning a condo recertification process for condos that were approved prior to October 1, 2008, requiring that they are re-approved on or before December 7, 2010.  Well its hard to believe, but December 7th is almost here, and there are very few condos that have been re-approved.  Welcome "Condo Judgment Day!"  From FHA: "New FHA case numbers will not be assigned for those projects where the project approval has expired and the project has not been recertified or reapproved prior to the project expiration date."  This was all initially announced in the FHA mortgagee letter issued November 6th 2009-46 B.  Bottom line, No case numbers = NO FHA loans!                       My understanding is that the approval process can take 30-45 days.  45 day... 10/27/2010

If a Tree is Cut in Columbia, Does it Make a Sound?  Only if a Quorum of Members Voted for Approval.  If you are thinking of relocating to Columbia, MD, you may be aware that the homes in this planned community are subject to the CC&R's as written by the Columbia Association.  While this Association has many benefits, too many to list here in this blog, you should also be aware that an important part of these covenants state that if you want to make any alteration to your home's exterior, that alteration is subject to Columbia's Exterior Alteration Application Process, the final outcome of which is dependent on a quorum of members voting on the merit of the application. Keep in mind that this policy applies to fencing, landscaping (planting and removing), decks installation or removal,... 10/20/2010

Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 10/20/2010

So, you've worked hard to put this entire thing together.  YOU FINALLY ARE GOING TO SETTLE ON THE PURCHASE OF YOUR NEW HOME and do a renovation with your FHA 203k.   1.   You spent hours on site with various consultants, contractors and inspectors to determine the scope of work. 2.   You and your agent crafted a perfectly written CONTRACT OF SALE and had it ratified. 3.   You supplied your lender with everything under the sun, Including, but not limited to, your blood type, hair and DNA samples. 4.   You are ready to settle and start your project... Right?  :)   Maybe... or at least half right.   Here is a HUGE issue.  Not all lenders have the same procedures for the disbursement of the escrow funds.  What does that mean?  Well, the money that is put into an escrow account for the renov... 10/20/2010

9016 EARLY APRIL WAY, COLUMBIA. MD. OPEN HOUSE IN COLUMBIA- OCTOBER 17TH 2010- 1PM TILL 3PM. Ellie McIntire | The McIntire Team of Long & Foster | (410) 480-3398 9016 Early April Way, Columbia, MD Spacious Columbia Townhome with all the Trimmings 4BR/3+1BA Townhouse offered at $325,000 Year Built 1983 Sq Footage 1,635 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking 2 Lot Size 1,379 sqft HOA/Maint $38 per month DESCRIPTION What more could you want in Columbia? A SPACIOUS 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath townhome that has been lovingly taken care of. Sparkling eat in Kitchen, HUGE Master Bedroom, updated Bathrooms and great Howard County Schools see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Fireplace - Walk-in closet - Hardwood floor - Tile floor - Family room - ... 10/17/2010

FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS GRANT - COLUMBIA MARYLAND - UP TO $7,500 FOR DOWN PAYMENT OR CLOSING COSTS JUST RELEASED TODAY, JANUARY 20, 2011.  $7,500 GRANT FOR HOWARD COUNTY BUYES. Call Lenn to qualify.  800-711-7988 WE CAN HELP!  Homefinders.com works hard to help FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS in Howard County acquire their first home.  The Homefinders.com Buyers' Agents in Howard County know the mortgage companies that offer programs to help FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS and we work with those lenders to HELP YOU. FOR A TOUR OF HOMES IN HOWARD COUNTY, MARYLAND in your price range, contact us and we'll help you all the way from search to settlement.   We can quickly qualify you for a price range and determine the First Time Home Buyer programs that fit your needs.  INTEREST RATES ARE THE LOWEST IN OVER 5... 10/15/2010

Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 10/13/2010

Top Seller Tuesday - Absorption Rates for Columbia October Absorption Rate for 21044 Zip Code - Columbia, Maryland:All Homes:  54 weeks of inventoryDetached Homes: 31 weeks of inventoryTownhomes and Condos:  85 weeks of inventory   October Absorption Rate for 21045 Zip Code - Columbia, Maryland:All Homes:  36 weeks of inventoryDetached Homes:  24 weeks of inventoryTownhomes and Condos:  56 weeks of inventory Read this post to find out more about Absorption Rates and what they mean.  If you'd like more information about absorption rates for your area, how much your home is worth, or how long it will take to sell your home, please feel free to contact me.  10/12/2010

REI to open fourth Maryland store in Columbia. Active Howard County residents will soon no longer need to travel to Timonium, College Park or Rockville to shop at a REI Store for Outdoor gear, equipment and ski stuff. By mid November the REI company will open it's fourth Maryland store in Columbia in the central Columbia location in Columbia Crossing, 6100 Dobbin Road. Previously the huge 24,000-square-foot store that used to be home for the upscale Home Depot Expo Design Center.   REI Columbia will be the only one with a full-service ski shop.    If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Howard County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Harford County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Montgomery County or Prince Georges County. - or if you would like mo... 10/06/2010

Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 10/06/2010

Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 09/29/2010