The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was recently signed into law could be the key to achieving the American dream of homeownership for many first-time buyers. The stimulus plan includes a new and improved version of a first-time buyer tax credit originally passed last summer. The 2009 first-time buyer tax credit includes these enhancements, and applies to any buyer who has not owned a home in the three years prior to their 2009 purchase:     The maximum tax credit amount was increased to $8,000 from $7,500. Buyers are no longer required to repay the credit. The time during which first-time buyers can benefit from the credit was extended by five months. It now applies to purchases of principal residences made on or after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009. The passing... 03/02/2009

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Whether you are a first time home buyer or a seasoned savvy investor ... The Bank Owned Townhomes of Germantown Maryland represent a great way to take advantage of this unprecedented Buyer's Market.     20012 APPERSON PL, GERMANTOWN, MD 20876 List Price: $199,900 ADORABLE UNIT WITH LOFT! BANK OWNED..SOLD 'AS-IS" NEUTRAL DECOR, FENCED YARD. FINISHED BASEMENT WITH HALF BATH Listing courtesy of Rita Abuja , RE/MAX Realty Group 19033 PARTRIDGE WOOD DR, GERMANTOWN, MD 208 List Price: $175,000 Spacious 3 level townhouse with large eat-in kitchen. 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, Hardwood floors on main level, fireplace, deck with fenced yard, convenient to all major highways/interstate, shopping, schools. Listing courtesy of Timon Mitrakas , RE/MAX Pros-Germantown 11735 SUMMER OAK DR, GERMANTOWN, MD... 02/24/2009

As you may know, President Obama presented a new plan this week to prevent foreclosures and stabilize the housing market. The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan will be funded with money from the $700 billion financial industry bailout passed by Congress in the fall. The plan was designed to help up to 9 million families avoid foreclosure by restructuring or refinancing their mortgages. While it may seem that the main benefactors of the initiative are homeowners at risk of defaulting on their mortgage, we will all benefit. Defaults and foreclosures result in lower home values, lost jobs and economic troubles for local communities.   The main components of the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan are to: Provide incentives for mortgage lenders and servicers to modify loans... 02/20/2009

Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.  Real Estate Trend Indicator - <$30K to >$500K Format Montgomery County, MD From: 01/01/2009 to 01/31/2009                Statistics generated on: 02/06/2009 Residential Unit Sales Number of Bedrooms Active Listings   Time on Market Price Class 2 Or Less   3 4   or More   Condo Coop and Ground Rent Residential    Condo Coop and Ground Rent of Units Sold (No. of Units) Under $30,000 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 -30 Days 78 $30,000-$39,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 31-60 Days 64 $40,000-$49,999 0 0 0 0 0 3 61 - 90 Days 52 $50,000-$59,999 0 0 0 0 1 3 91-120 Days 47 $60,000-$69,999 0 0 0 0 0 6 Over 120 Days 146 $70,000-$79,999 0 0 0 4 0 12 Total 387 $80,000-$89,999 0 0 0 2 2 15 $90,000-$99,999 0 0 0 0 1 34 Type of Financing of Units Sold (No. of Units) $100,000-$119,999 0... 02/16/2009

Germantown, Maryland homes for sale     More Communities... Area Links Germantown News Germantown Homes for Sale, Maryland Real Estate. Germantown, known as the "Affordable Silicon Valley," is located in the heart of Montgomery County, approximately 12 miles from Washington, D.C. , along the I-270 technology corridor. After the creation of I-270, the community also became a planned "Corridor City".  The plan preserves the outside edges of the county as farmland and forests.  Development of Germantown homes for sale is being restricted to the area surrounding the interstate highway.  Montgomery County is the "Gateway to the Nation's Capital". People looking for Germantown real estate for sale will find it in the PROPERTY SEARCH SITE. Find out how Kacem & The DMV Properties Group can sel... 02/16/2009

The kitchen has always been the focal point of a home's living area, and one of the first features buyers look at during their home search. As many people cut back on expenses by eating out less and cooking at home more, having a functional kitchen has become even more important than ever. If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen, take the current economic climate into account when making your choices. Last month, builders and designers gathered for the International Builders' Show and discussed the following trends for kitchens:   Pick a layout that makes it easier for two people to be working in the kitchen at the same time, such as putting the oven under the counter to one side of the cooktop. Install multiple refrigerators to accommodate extra groceries. Good options include ... 02/15/2009

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Waterbury Down South and North are located in the popular Waters Landing Subdivision - Which is also part of the Churchill Town Sector north of Father Hurley Boulevard. These were originally built by Ryland Homes between 1983-1986, the largest model the "Patuxent" boasts 1600 square feet and usually has 3 bedrooms and 2 and one half bathrooms. Their only drawback is that they are back to back townhomes, in other words do not have a basement, however this is one of the most affordable sections of the County. The Home Owner's Association has an on site manager and in my humble opinion is one of the better run Associations in the County, they have been able to keep their dues lower than most HOAs and still provide some of the best amenities around. There are two swimming pools, a dozen or... 02/12/2009

    The properties below are this week's top rated properties in Germantown:    Location:  11412 Applegrath Way, BrandermillStatus:  Active, (Bank OwnedPriced:  $164,900 (Originally priced at $164,900)Built in 1986 Value: 10 (Hit the really good buy list)Condition: 6 (Slight aroma, newer appliances, new carpet, paint is okay, needs new windows)Location: 6 (Backs to other townhomes)Motivation: 7Investor Rating: 19.5 (Good rental property - could be a flip at the right price o/a $140,000)Total Rated Score: 29 (Shouldn't last long especially with the low interest rates)   Location:  18640 Sage Way, Cinnamon WoodsStatus:  Active (Bank owned)Priced:  $134,900 (Originally $144,900)Built in 1975 Value: 10 (Great rental property)Condition: 6 (Needs new appliances and carpet)Location: 6 (Backs t... 02/11/2009

In 2005 the Washington metropolitan area saw approximately 14,000 people homeless on any given day.Nearly half are families; more than a third are children.Many people assume that most people lose their homes because they abuse drugs or alcohol. But it's not that simple. People get evicted from their homes because they cannot afford steep rent hikes. People lose their jobs and wind up on the streets. Single working mothers show up at shelters with their children because they can not afford day care. Other people end up homeless because they are too sick to work or were forced to flee an abusive home. Some people ran away as teenagers and cannot afford to live on their own. While everyone's story is different, all homeless people have two things in common: They are extremely poor and the... 02/05/2009

Destroy The Myth That Nothing Is Selling And Nobody Can Get Mortgage Approval!   More good news! For the second week in a row, there has been an unexpected improvement in the real estate market. Today, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that its Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed in December, rose 6.3 percent. It had been projected that pending sales would fall. "The monthly gain in pending home sales, spurred by buyers responding to lower home prices and mortgage interest rates, more than offset an index decline in the previous month," said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR. "The biggest gains were in areas with the biggest improvements in affordability."   Spread the good news!   Easy to use Mortgage Calculator at.... HomesByRobandJeannie.com 02/04/2009

We will Sell Your Property Fasssssssssssssssssssssssssst! !                           Need to sell your home fast? Experience makes the difference. . These are the first steps Selling home fast can be done with the help of a professional since you may not have  expertise in selling houses. Be aware that the competency of your Realtor.  A SOLD sign will hung on your yard only if your Realtor has experience in selling properties in this market.   TRUST YOUR REALTOR. . or HIRE SOMEONE ELSE! A good Realtor will point out the very best part of your home to the future buyer. Making  your home look great and attractive. If you aren't ready to trust your Realtor's opinion as to what to do to prepare your home to sell. . then you should look for someone else. In this market, preparation is the ... 02/03/2009

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Remodeling Projects That Add Value According to Remodeling magazine's 2008-2009 "Cost vs. Value Report," even despite the challenging economy, investing in your home still pays off at resale. Based on interviews with real estate professionals throughout the country, the Remodeling report found that homeowners could expect to recoup an average of 67.3 percent of their investment in 30 different home improvement projects. Exterior projects that boost curb appeal and kitchen remodels generally get the biggest bang for the homeowner's buck. The right remodeling project, when done well, also has the potential to make for a quicker sale and reduce negotiations with buyers over perceived shortcomings.   Some of the projects that are paying off the most nationally this year at resale include th... 02/02/2009

Both Dinosaurs and no doc loans are extinct. Pretty soon there will be an exhibit at the Smithsonian with a no doc loan under glass. Future generations will be astounded by the  few pieces of paper that once qualified as loan documentation. A few of years ago you could be approved for a loan with almost as little information as a credit score. That's why we are in the mess we are in now because so many people were encouraged to state incomes higher than their real income. When it came time to pay those loans back, the money wasn't there. Since the bailout of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, lenders are adhering to strict qualifying guidelines that will help them ensure that  borrowers can actually afford the loans they seek. If you are planning on purchasing a home or refinancing a home you ... 01/30/2009

Should You Consider a Short Sale? Facing foreclosure is not only stressful, it can be embarrassing and humiliating too. By choosing to utilize the short sale you can avoid the public notice of foreclosure and the public sale of your property at the courthouse. The short sale will give you the opportunity to deal much more privately with  this issue. However, you will be obligated to disclose it to prospective purchasers and agents that show the property.There are currently millions of homeowners in the exact same issue as you are. You are not alone. The short sale can help you take control of the financial problems you are facing. A short sale occurs when the banks agree to take less of a payoff than you owe. The benefit to you is that you avoid foreclosure. Having a foreclosure on your... 01/30/2009

  The information below provided by Realtor Magazine could save you some money on your  homeowner's insurance this coming year. With the economy the way that it is, it is important to find prudent ways to save money. Tips for Lowering Homeowner’s Insurance Costs 1. Review the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report on the property you’re interested in buying. CLUE reports detail the property’s claims history for the most recent five years, which insurers may use to deny coverage. Make the sale contingent on a home inspection to ensure that problems identified in the CLUE report have been repaired.  2. Seek insurance coverage as soon as your offer is approved. You must obtain insurance to buy. And you don’t want to be told at closing that the insurer has denied your covera... 01/28/2009

Germantown Real Estate - Trulia For more detailed information regarding a specific neighborhood's market statistics please feel free to contact us anytime. Several differing details factor into estimating the market value of your home. Call us for a free home evaluation estimate today! Rob & Jeannie      Rob & Jeannie Steward          Weichert, Realtors 20400 Observation Dr, Ste 200Germantown, Maryland 20876Direct: (301) 213-7351Office: (301) 540-1330 x267Fax:    (301) 601-0250E-Mail: Rob.Jeannie@gmail.com www.HomesByRobandJeannie.comWe Work Twice As Hard For You!     01/28/2009