Special offer

Gaithersburg, MD Real Estate News

Another update on the Kentlands alley paving schedule   Some Kentlands residents are very upset about the multiple changes of the schedule for the preparation and paving of alleys in the community. Of course, there are always excuses.  I did see the contractors working when I was walking through the neighborhood on Thursday. If your garage access may be limited by the alley preparation or paving, it is probably a good idea to call Randy Fox to confirm the date before parking your vehicles on the public streets Residents are reminded that this project does not relate to the public streets that are maintained by the City of Gaithersburg This is the notice from the Kentlands Citizens Assembly:   This is a paving schedule update:   We apologize for the constant changes.  Weather and mechani...
Comments 5
The first dahlia of the season in our Kentlands home garden   We purchased a number of dahlia bulbs when we attended the Philadelphia Flower Show.  The squirrels were after the bulbs as soon as we have them planted.  However, many of the plants survived the squirrels and are rapidly growing. The first dahlia is now blooming and that almost makes it official that summer is near. This is the photograph. This dahlia has not yet fully bloomed but is located at the front entrance of our home as the first bloom to be seen by visitors. If you have blooming dahlias in your home garden, share the photographs.   Have a wonderful summer and may your gardens be full of colors.  
Comments 14
Is it too late to find home purchase bargains in Florida?   Some Maryland retirees have deferred their home sale and hope that the strong sales market will mean that they receive a higher price for their residence when they make the move to a retirement home.  However, there has been some concerns that if they wait too long, home purchase bargains will not be available in Florida. The news reports give the impression that the Florida market is very strong. According to a Mortgage Orb report, legislation is being considered in Florida to allow magistrates to handle foreclosure sales since the judges have a huge backlog of cases.  According to the Foreclosure Initiative Workgroup earlier this year, there were 358,000 foreclosures pending in the state courts and an estimated 680,000 new ca...
Comments 13
Kentlands  25th Anniversary Celebrations   The Kentlands community in Gaithersburg, Maryland is approaching its 25th anniversary and there will be a series of events to mark this milestone. The first 25th Anniversary event will be a Champagne Celebration and Concert on Sunday, June 16, 2013. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be served in the Kentlands Mansion and there will be musical entertainment at the nearby Gaithersburg Arts Barn in Kentlands.  There will be two performances at the Arts Barn. The first will be at 7:00 p.m. and the second performance will be at 8:30 p.m. There will also be special exhibits at the Kentlands Mansion with photographs and concept drawing relating to the planning of Kentlands.  New Urbanism will be discussed by Marina Khoury, the Director of Town Plannin...
Comments 17
By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Kentlands Paving Project Update   Keeping track of the correct dates for the ongoing Kentlands Paving Project is like trying to focus on a moving target.  It is best to expect changes rather than counting on the initial published schedule. The Kentlands Citizens Assembly is trying to keep the residents updated. The following notice contains the revised schedule.  Again, you should anticipate more changes. Call Randy Fox to confirm the dates that impact the alley entrance to your garage.  Please keep in mind that this paving project is for the community association alleys and does not include the public streets that are maintained by the City of Gaithersburg. This is an update on the Kentlands paving project Each area will first be milled which will create a rough surface, and this will ...
Comments 6
By Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA, 301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA
(Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties )
  Crown Gaithersburg MD Homes  Parks at the Crown  As part of our informational series about this new community in Gaithersburg Maryland, we focus on the planning of parks that will enhance the living of all Crown Residents.  A total of 6 parks will be available for all to enjoy.  They will be perfect for any family that likes to walk, jog, run, do picnics, meditate, sit and read a book. This will include  surrounding gardens, manicured lawns and biking paths . . all should be be available by late 2014 /2015   These parks will be divided as follows:   West Park Steinbeck Park Crown Park Meditation Park Green Park City Park Note: The historic silos and corn crib from the original Crown Farm will be preserved as features for the City Park area.       Participating Builders T present, the...
Comments 1
Fraud losses for 73,000 home owners exceeds $1 billion   The June issue of Servicing Management Magazine includes a major article on mortgage fraud. The FBI conducted a year-long Distressed Homeowner Initiative focused on fraud that targets home owners. The investigation “resulted in 530 criminal defendants charged, including 172 executives. The cases involved more than 73,000 homeowner victims, with total losses by those victims estimated at more than $1 billion.” – Jennifer Shasky Calvery Real estate professionals need to be alert for schemes that involve mortgage fraud that target financially distressed mortgage borrowers. The two most common schemes appear to be rescue schemes and loan modification schemes. The foreclosure rescue schemes target home owners that have failed to make s...
Comments 15
By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Pot Art and Beyond: Tom Wesselmann Virginia Museum of Fine Arts   The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, in Richmond, VA, is one of our favorite travel destinations.  Dolores and I are annual members and try to attend all of the major exhibits.  Our most recent visit was on Memorial Day.  Our timing was great as it seems that most of the Richmond art lovers had gone to the beach for the holiday weekend. The current major exhibit at VMFA is Pot Art and Beyond: Tom Wesselmann.  Wesselmann is well known for his Great American Nude series.  Tom Wesselmann (1931-2004) is regarded as one of the leading figures of American Pop Art. Dolores and I recommend this exhibit as a special treat if you enjoy art.  The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a world class museum and is well worth the trip at any tim...
Comments 12
By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Allergic reactions to niacin                                                                                                              This blog will not be of interest to young readers that are not familiar with the use of niacin to support good cholesterol.  Some of us that take niacin (vitamin B3) have learned that side effects can become very uncomfortable. Niacin is usually taken before bedtime with the premise that we will sleep through side effects. As a precaution, we take an aspirin a half hour before taking the niacin pill. The purpose of the aspirin is to reduce the side effects.  The most common side effect is flushing, a sensation of warmth. Niacin causes your capillaries to get bigger and that can cause a niacin flush. I have taken niacin for several years and it has be...
Comments 15
By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Have you read Inferno by Dan Brown?   Dolores and I just returned from a vacation in Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.   One of my personal goals is to read at least one novel each week and this includes time on vacations. The novel is selected for our trip was the latest book by Dan Brown, Inferno.  You may have read some of Brown’s previous books which include The Da Vinci Code.  I recommend the newest book and Dolores will begin reading it tonight. When you read a lot of books, it is a good idea to keep a list of the ones you have read.  This is the list of books by Dan Brown that I have read.  You may wish to add the books you have not read to your summertime reading list. Accept my challenge to read at least one novel each week as a personal commitment. You will enjoy every book. ...
Comments 15
By Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA, 301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA
(Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties )
New Homes In The Crown Community Gaithersburg Maryland Read Original Article Here Located across from Rio-Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg Maryland. . A new community has formed. .   The Crown community once completed will feature more than 2,200 residential units and 260,000 square feet of retail space.   A walk away from Rio across the street   A quick look at the Crown Progress. .    Let's drive around the CROWN. . .climb aboard   The Crown has been segmented in 4 different areas: Crown West Crown East Crown Central Crown Downtown More information about Crown Downtown Crown Downtown This is where a Harris Teeter grocery store will be located plus. ., LA Fitness and dozens of other small shops will be featured in the downtown area.   Some of the new shops and restaurants will be:...
Comments 1
She loves the house but hates the kitchen:  Replace objections with solutions Streamlined FHA 203(k) mortgage financing   Many of us have shown homes that meet the needs of the prospective purchasers but have physical issues that turn off the buyers.  The lady that loves the home but hates the kitchen will be pleased if a renovated kitchen can be included in the transaction. How often has an unfinished basement killed a transaction because the prospects need a basement bedroom and bathroom for the teen age son?  That objection could be overcome if the basement could be finished for the purchasers. The appropriate mortgage financing can be the solutions to problems relating to the physical condition of the property.  Most of us know that home buyers can use FHA 203(k) financing to renova...
Comments 21
Financing the foreclosures that need renovation   Many markets have a much lower inventory of lender owned foreclosures than experienced in recent years.  However, it seems that a lot of the homes are in worse condition than in the past.  One of the reasons for the poor condition of many REO properties is that they have been sitting vacant for an extended period of time. Vacant properties tend to deteriorate more rapidly than those that are occupied. Home buyers that want to purchase fix-up properties are usually looking for bargains and some purchasers like to fix up their future home in just the way they prefer. Normal mortgage financing may not be available for properties that need repairs or renovation.  The solution for many of our clients has been the use of FHA 203(k) renovation ...
Comments 17
Using a reverse mortgage to help seniors with a home purchase   When I attempt to discuss reverse mortgages with real estate professionals, a high percentage of them tend to want to avoid the topic because they obviously are not familiar enough with the reverse mortgage products to be able to discuss their suitability for their clients. If you are a real estate professional that assists the rapidly growing seniors sector, you need to know about reverse mortgages. Unlike regular mortgages that have principal and interest payments for the term of the loan, a reverse mortgage has no principal or interest payments due for the life of the borrower.  And, prospective reverse mortgage borrowers do not have their qualifications based on income or credit scores. A reverse mortgage may be used to...
Comments 40
Montgomery County, MD Free Rabies Clinic, Sunday, June 16   The next free rabies clinic, sponsored by the Montgomery County Animal Services Division, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 16, 2013. The City of Gaithersburg will be participating in this clinic for cats and dogs.  A City license must be purchased at the clinic but there is no fee for the rabies vaccination. If June 16 is not a good date for you, future clinics will be held on July 21 and August 18. The Montgomery County Animal Shelter is located at: 14645 Rothgeb Drive Rockville, MD 20850 240-773-5946 www.mchumane.org   The clinics are staffed by licensed veterinarians. They do require that pets be leashed or in carriers.  City of Gaithersburg residents are reminded that City licenses and rabies vaccinations a...
Comments 21
Kentlands Citizens Assembly needs code compliance volunteer   If you are seeking a volunteer opportunity in the Kentlands community, there is an opening that you may wish to consider. The attractive appearance of homes in Kentlands is one of the features that attract relocation families to the area. The Board of Code Compliance is the group of home owners that work to maintain the high community standards that make us proud of our neighborhoods.  Carefully read the following request from the Kentlands Citizens Assembly and offer your services if you have the skills to fill this opening. This is the notice from the Kentlands Citizens Assembly: Volunteer Needed for the Board of Code Compliance   Members of the the Board of Code Compliance (BoCC) review potential code issues defined by the...
Comments 24
Saturday, June 1 is the day for gospel music in Gaithersburg Jubilation Day   If you enjoy gospel music, you will want to attend the free Jubilation Day performances at the Concert pavilion at City Hall.  This will be the seventh annual Jubilation Day Gospel Extravaganza.  Gaithersburg area music lovers can find free musical entertainment in the City every week of the summer. This is the notice from the City of Gaithersburg: Jubilation Day Brings Gospel Music to City Hall Concert Pavilion Gospel music, the uniquely American art form that gave rise to jazz, blues, R&B, and rock and roll, will be celebrated in all of its glory as the City of Gaithersburg presents the 7th Annual Jubilation Day Gospel Extravaganza. On Saturday, June 1, 2013, from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Concert Pavilion at C...
Comments 20
How to become an election judge in Gaithersburg   Did you ever wonder how election judges are selected?  They are volunteers, just like you. If you would like to become an election judge, carefully read the following notice from the City of Gaithersburg and offer your services.  When you serve as an election judge you do get paid for your time. You will meet a lot of people in the community as you provide a very important service. Don’t worry about a lack of experience.  A training session will provide the knowledge you need for this election and future elections.   Gaithersburg Seeks Judges for November 5 Election The City of Gaithersburg is seeking election judges for its 2013 municipal elections, being held on Tuesday, November 5. Judges are needed for six polling places located thro...
Comments 16
Imputed income from retirement accounts may help seniors qualify for mortgages   Many retired seniors have faced difficulty in qualifying for mortgage financing as they seek to refinance a home or purchase a more suitable retirement residence.  Traditional underwriting requires enough current income to qualify for mortgage financing. Some seniors have turned to reverse mortgage products but they are not suitable for all situations. According to an article by Kenneth R. Harney, in The Nation’s Housing, Freddie Mac now “allows seniors and others to use certain retirement account balances to supplement their incomes for underwriting purposes, without actually tapping those balances or drawing down cash.” Thousands of seniors go to retirement status every day and that will be the situation ...
Comments 21
By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Kentlands Alleys Paving Project   Now that summer is approaching, Kentlands residents need to be alert for the continuation of paving projects in the community.  The public streets are maintained by the City of Gaithersburg but the alleys are maintained by the Kentlands Citizens Assembly, the home owners association.  The planned improvements will take place in the alleys.  When the work is being done in the alleys access to the garages that open to the alleys will not be available. So, everybody needs to make sure that their automobiles are moved to the public streets on the scheduled dates.  When work was being done last fall, there were delays and schedule changes as well.  So, if there is any uncertainty about the dates, call Randy Fox at the Clubhouse for an update.   This is the o...
Comments 17
Explore Gaithersburg, MD