April First Saturday Egg-stravaganza April 3, 2010 5 - 9pm Celebrate Easter weekend with an Egg-stravaganza!  Adults can enjoy a Downtown Easter Egg Hunt while the kids will enjoy lots of bunny fun throughout downtown.   The Easter Egg Hunt includes fun offers and coupons from your favorite downtown merchants - grab and egg from over 40 locations!   The kids will love meeting the Easter Bunny who will be hopping through downtown, guessing the number of jelly beans, making bunny ears and more!   Don't forget to stop by the BB&T NASCAR #33 Chevrolet Impala displayed on Carroll Creek.   Also, enjoy guest artists, exhibit openings and special activities at downtown's many specialty stores and restaurants from 5 - 9pm. Egg-stravaganza Brochure 03/18/2010

                            Tickets and bowls are on sale now for the exciting March 21 Empty Bowls luncheon to benefit the Mission. The luncheon, being held at Frederick Cellars and sponsored by Everedy Square and Shab Row shop owners, includes delicious food from restaurants including Volt, Danielle's, and the Frederick Coffee Company, as well as live music and silent auction. Attendees may purchase their original handcrafted bowl and ticket at the Little Pottery Shop, 117 N East St. The event costs $25 and all proceeds benefit the Frederick Rescue Mission.  For more information, visit www.everedysquare.com.  Benefitting the Frederick Rescue Mission's Hunger Relief Programs 03/18/2010

I was struck by an article in our local newspaper the Frederick News Post this morning. A local radio host, Blaine Young was criticized for not giving up his radio show when recently appointed to the position of Frederick County commissioner. Here's my issue. Blaine Young was appointed to this post after a sitting commissioner stepped down. Now commissioner Young agreed to step down from his show when he files to run for the post in the fall. However there is no law the requires that he stop broadcasting in his current position. The headline in the paper reads "Local Democrats launch campaign to force Young off radio show" What happened to free speech? Mr. Young is not an active candidate therefore he is not violating any campaign laws. The group attacking Mr. Young clearly stated he is... 03/10/2010

How Many Payments do I have to Miss to Qualify for a Short Sale? "None. . .you can start a short sale at anytime. . .” Most major lenders will accept offers of a short sale from sellers that had never missed a payment or been late. Their only requirement is that you must have a hardship. . The reason a bank wants to accept a short sale is that they ALSO want to avoid the foreclosure of your home. An impending hardship could be used to request a short sale. What is a qualified hardship in a short sale? Any of the following will typically qualify as a legitimate hardship for a short sale: 1. Reduction in income – job loss, and/or, reduction in hours, etc. 2. Marital difficulties – a divorce or simple separation, abandonment . 2. Increase in expenses – increase in the number of dependents... 03/08/2010

Everedy Square & Shab Row is Going Green First Saturday March 6th - 5-9 PM     Did you know that our local Habitat for Humanity's ReStore operation saves tons of USABLE materials every year? Stop by and learn how you can help us preserve our environment. Be sure to also participate in our Puzzle Challenge- you might win a prize! U Design by Holly Kristen, Fashion Designed by You, and Aspire Women's Clothing Boutique partner up for their second annual Recycled Dress Event.  Pick up recycled materials at Aspire (10 N. East St.) to personally apply to the beautiful dress creation at UDHK (120 N. East St.).   Also at Aspire: Drop off gently used clothing to be donated to help women in need Meet the Bag Monster at Flights Fancy - see what 500 grocery bags looks like -- what the average adult... 03/02/2010

  Maryland Foreclosures Get The Very Latest  Free List of Foreclosures   All Foreclosed Homes Just Listed on the Real Estate Market for Frederick Maryland  - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE NO CREDIT CARD NEEDED Foreclosures in Frederick MD Interested in purchasing bank owned property? Choose from thousands of REO's available in the city of Frederick Maryland . Simply click on the picture and . We will notify you of all new Foreclosure, Bank owned Property, REO listings in Frederick and the surrounding areas that meet your criteria, absolutely free! For your knowledge and information , there are three types of websites that can give you a LIST OF FORECLOSURES One requiring you to pay a membership fee. Other offers free trials and then pay. . The best one is COMPLET... 03/01/2010

  Hello Friends! We are happy to REMIND YOU about an upcoming FUNdraiser at Uno's Chicago Grill, where you can come out and enjoy delicious food while supporting affordable housing here in Frederick County. Thursday, February 18thUno's Chicago Grill5449 Urbana PikeFrederick, MD301.668.251211:30AM - 11:00PM(across parking lot from Bed, Bath & Beyond) Uno's will donate up to 20% of tabs collected when the 'tickets' are presented.   This applies to carry-out, dining in, lunch, dinner, bar, etc.   Please call ahead if you have a party of 6 or more. Please print out TICKETS HERE.  Keep one for your party, and give the others to friends, family, neighbors, etc.   If you would really like to help spread the word for us, please print out multiple sheets of tickets, cut them into individual ones... 02/18/2010

City to start enforcing sidewalk snow removal ordinance http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/displayUpdate.htm?storyid=101403 City of Frederick residents and property owners have to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice or face a fine. City code enforcers will begin enforcing the sidewalk snow removal ordinance by issuing warning letters today, according to a news release. The ordinance requires residents to clear a 4 foot wide path along sidewalks that cover the length of their property. If sidewalks are not cleared by Wednesday, property owners will receive a notice of violation giving 24 hours to do the work. If sidewalks are still covered in snow and ice after that period, a municipal infraction carrying a $100 fine will be issued or the city will have a contractor do the ... 02/16/2010

    I have been talking about comparing FHA loans to Conventional loans and how to use your money wisely in my last 2 mortgage posts. The links are below and I suggest you reading them to find out what the fuss is all about. But in this post, I wanted to bring up 2 important points. some people argue that you should put more money down if you have it, so you don't become up-side-down in your property (I disagree with this statement) another point is that you could actually make a lesser down payment and take some of that extra money that you saved and use it to buy your interest rate down. It all comes down to your goals.   So, let's jump into this a little deeper...       So your fear is that you could be upset down on your property if you don't put 20% down or so? Let me pose a questi... 02/03/2010

  Don’t be CASH POOR – CASH is KING     FHA loans have been used more in recent years. Many have talked negatively about FHA loans because of their high default rates as of lately. Don't be fooled by chatter that is not backed up by fact and why this is happening.  Please read : Should we ABOLISH FHA loans? One of the main myths that I wanted to dispell in this blog post is that you don't need 20% to buy a home in today's real estate market or that you need a 720 credit score. These are bad myths and rumors. You can read about it here : Credit scores/FICO scores - I need a 700 credit score? Yesterday, I wrote a post about comparing a FHA mortgage to a Conventional mortgage with 20% down. FHA loans vs Conventional loans - A real comparison with 20% down. - Overall, it all comes down to t... 01/29/2010

-Search Real Estate Listings in Frederick, MD                     -Find a Realtor in Frederick, MD       -List a Home for sale in Frederick, MD                               -Commercial Real Estate in Frederick, MD   Buying or selling a home in Spring Ridge in Frederick, MD?  You should read this first.   Spring Ridge was developed by the Buchanan Partners Land Development Group in the 1980's.  Spring Ridge is one of the largest master planed community located in Frederick, MD. It is a mix of single family homes, town homes, condos, is well as retail and office space. Spring Ridge totals about 1,650 housing units constructed from the early 1990's to 2008 and is home to about 4,500 people. Some of the community amenities in Spring Ridge including, walking paths, a pool, club house, groc... 12/14/2009

11/22/2009

Frederick County Maryland Public Schools Are you considering a move to Maryland, but are concerned about the educational opportunities available for your children?  Do not worry, the schools of the Maryland public educational system are rated among the best in the entire country. Maryland tracks key performance indicators to determine how it compares to the nation as well as to compare the school districts within its own boundaries.  Maryland continually strives to improve its performance in all of these areas. In all categories, Maryland is at or near the top.  Maryland has information regarding important factors such as: graduation rates; college acceptance rates; SAT and PSAT scores; and assessment scores for math, reading, and writing. Also provided are demographics for the various ... 11/09/2009

-Search Homes for Sale in Frederick, MD            -Find a Realtor in Frederick, MD      -Sell a Home in Frederick, MD                           -Commercial Real Estate in Frederick, MD  Every year around this time Mackintosh Realtors visits a near by school that teaches students with special needs.  The Muren Team decided this year more that most would be a time to give back , show some kindness  to a community that has shown us the same.  For a brief while I forgot about foreclosures and short sales. My thoughts were not with appraisals and home inspections  or how the DOW and the treasury bonds would affect interest rates or even what the gold market was doing or what I would pay at the pump. Instead I was totally blown away by the teachers and staff at this school. How much care and... 10/27/2009

-Search Homes for Sale in Frederick, MD            -Find a Realtor in Frederick, MD      -Commercial Real Estate in Frederick, MD           -Sell a Home in Frederick, MD       As a Realtor I am concerned about low appraisals. When the appraiser goes out is he being fair when comparing properties? Are distressed properties that are being sold for less with much work needed being judged in that manner so when compared to a property that needs very little to no improvement needed showing more worth? This is very important when comparing foreclosed properties on the market to those that are non-foreclosed. I am hoping that the appraiser does go inside an account for the condition and is given ample time to do the job correctly in this market so that home owners can sell at the correct price... 10/24/2009

-Search Homes for Sale in Frederick, MD            -Find a Realtor in Frederick, MD      -Sell a Home in Frederick, MD                           -Commercial Real Estate in Frederick, MD  Development in Downtown Frederick, MD East Street Extended:  The  project is being completed by the State Highway Administration using Federal and State Funds (80/20) and is set to open in total this fall.  The opening will include the new interchange of East Street and I-70, the section of Monocacy Boulevard from South Market to South Streets, the upgrading of South Market Street from MD85/355 to Loats Alley, and a new park-n-ride lot at the northwest corner of I-70 and MD355.  Click here for more information on development on the East side of Frederick, MD. Click here for sale and lease infomation in... 09/29/2009

Women Build Barn Dance is Announced Frederick---The Women Build Committee of Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County is holding their first BARN DANCE event on October 10th.  The fundraiser will be held at the Frederick County Fairgrounds e-ventplex (Building #9) located at 797 East Patrick Street in Frederick.  5:00PM to 11:30PM.  Parking will be FREE. Please consider supporting the effort of making an affordable home a reality for deserving families in Frederick County.  Come out and enjoy an evening of music, food, and socializing while supporting your community.  The evening will include performances by The Brandy Stills Band, a Country trio and the ESP dance troupe.  BBQ and picnic fare will be available along with soda, beer, and wine.  Purchase tickets in advance (Adults $15, C... 09/21/2009

You are invited to the Whittier Lakeside Festival & National Night Out, this Tuesday, August 4th,  6-9PM!   Sponsored by the Whittier Homeowners Association and the Frederick Police Department, this program, part of the 26th Annual "America's Night Out Against Crime," provides an opportunity for neighbors in Whittier and surrounding communities to come together and learn about ways to get involved in protecting the community and to celebrate community spirit! Meet neighbors and get to know each other in this FREE block party event!   Free Barbeque! Free RC Cars, Pony Rides, Canoes, Paddle Boat Rides, and Rock Wall! See Many Fun Demonstrations!   Visit Table 32, and pick up information about HOME SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS, SURVEILLANCE, & ENERGY  EFFICIENT AND GREEN TECHNOLOGY from  the Mere... 08/03/2009

Are You Looking to Build a Healthier Business In An Unhealthy Economy?   Join us for a no-cost informal presentation on how to deliver wellness and eco-friendly living to you and your clients. See the benefits of this great company!   Thursday 16 July 2009 6PM to 8PM (Presentation starts promptly at 6:30PM) at THE COFFEE TABLE 2401 A. Whittier Drive Frederick, MD 21702 Hosted By the Meredith Design Group and Green Stagers Unite RSVP to: ljr@GreenStagersUnite.com     for more information:  301.674.7238     07/13/2009

FREDERICK COUNTY BANK OWNED HOMES / FORECLOSURES FOR SALE   Lenn Harley, Broker for Homefinders.com and the Homefinders.com network is approved by Frederick County, Maryland to represent home buyers applying for a Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loan under the Frederick County program designed to help home buyers purchase bank owned foreclosed properties.   Home Buyers in Frederick County can now obtain down payment and closing cost help from the Fredrick County Neighborhood Conservation Initiative Program (NCI).   Highlights of the Down Payment Assistance   Zero Interest Down Loans for qualifying home buyers. $15,000 down payment help home buyers who occupy the homes. Additional $5,000 for some Frederick County employees. Additional $5,000 for qualifying bank owned homes in so... 06/30/2009