Cockeysville Home Sale Statistics February 2010

Cockeysville houses that sold in February 2010 were up 40% over February 2009 from an average sales price of $203,000 last year up to $284,450.

Under contract prices are down 19% over last year at this time to $300,000 from $372, 450.

For sale is down 5% to $339,900 from $359,900 last year.

There were 97 homes for sale in 21030, 9 under contract, and 10 sold in the month of February.

These numbers are fairly good considering the mutiple blizzards and snowstorms we had in the month, slowing the market down tremendously!

View the Cockeysville Home Sale Statistics for February 2010.

Please note that these are statistics from the multiple list. The chart is an overview of the zip code and does not take into account the type (condo, townhouse, single family) or condition of the home. To have a true value understanding of your Cockeysville home or Hunt Valley neighborhood, these factors need to be taken into consideration. If you would like a Cockeysville or Hunt Valley home price evaluation, please contact me today.

FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium Goes Up April 5, 2010

Besides the tax credit deadline looming on April 30, another significant deadline is even closer — beginning April 5, 2010, the FHA Up Front Mortgage Insurance Premium is going from 1.75% up to 2.25%. April 5, 2010 is NEXT MONDAY!

I wrote about the rise in FHA Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium on January 21, and time is now running out to get under contract before this change happens.

For any case numbers originating on or after April 5, the MIP will be 2.25%. This Friday, April 2, 2010 is Good Friday, so banks are closed.

This means for buyers to get the 1.75% premium, they need to be under contract and have all of their paperwork to their mortgage professional by Thursday, April 1, 2010 at the latest. (No joke!)

An example of what this means is that for a $200,000 loan amount, the current up front mortgage insurance premium to use FHA would be $3,500. As of next Monday, for the same loan it would be $4,500, costing a buyer $1,000 more.

Down the road, there are also expectations of reduced seller concessions and higher downpayment requirements for FHA borrowers. This means to buyers who are considering using FHA to obtain their loan should hurry to get the benefits as they stand currently!

HAFA Program to Help Distressed Homeowners Beginning April 5, 2010

The HAFA program (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) will start helping more homeowners avoid foreclosure and complete a short sale instead to take the pressure of a home they can no longer afford.

The HAFA program’s new monetary incentives to banks who participate in the program beginning April 5, 2010 should help tremendously.

According to CNNMoney.com :

Under the new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives program, borrowers will earn a $3,000 “relocation incentive” and servicers will get $1,500 for handling a short sale.

The investors who actually own the mortgage notes will get $2,000 in exchange for sharing proceeds of the short sales with any second-lien holders. And, finally, those second lien holders will receive up to $6,000 for releasing their claims.

This is a big incentive when multiple banks hold liens on a property, and tend to have been the biggest issue when there is more than one bank involved. This helps the secondary lien holders recoup some loss, therefore making these properties more eligible for short sale rather than foreclosure.

The other good news is that banks who participate in the program have to know & state up front what they would be willing to take, and when bona fide offers come in, they must respond within 10 days. In the past, it could take months for an answer, so this is a huge step to make these homes much more saleable.

Here are more details from the National Association of REALTORS.

The hope is that this will help stabilize the housing market, so we see less foreclosures hurting neighborhood values.

Now, keep in mind that the Short Sale process is not a fun one, and it is a last resort. If you are facing foreclosure or the possibility of foreclosure, this is most likely the way to go. There are other options and possible modifications to your loan to help you out, if there is a possibility you can stay in your home.

Either way, a real estate professional can help guide you in the right direction. Please contact me so I can help you further and get you in touch with the right people.

Timonium Home Sales Statistics February 2010

Timonium houses have dropped a little in value over the past year — with average 21093 home sales remaining in the low $300,000′s from February 2009-February 2010.

Sold values dropped 10% from February 2009 to $310,000, but under contract was up 1%. Also to note is that there were 34 that settled this February over only 18 last year at the same time.

List prices are down from $349,000 last year to $340,000 this year.

Considering the multiple blizzards we had in one week in February, these numbers are much better than they could have been!

View the February 2010 Timonium Home Sales Report.

Please note that these are statistics from the multiple list. The chart is an overview of the zip code and does not take into account the type (condo, townhouse, single family) or condition of the home. To have a true value understanding of your Timonium home or Lutherville neighborhood, these factors need to be taken into consideration. If you would like a Lutherville or Timonium home price evaluation, please contact me today.

Five Guys Cockeysville vs Koopers Chowhound Burger Wagon Verdict

Five Guys Cockeysville was a happening place last Thursday when my crew of people got together to give their final verdict on Five Guys Burgers vs Koopers Chowhound Burger Wagon burgers.

Through Twitter, a group of us set the date, and we sat outside to enjoy the 70+ degree weather.

The verdict? Unanimous. Five Guys Burgers won.

As Derek Massey of Mid-Atlantic Settlement Services commented on my post about Five Guys over Kooper’s:

“We’re talking about the Rolls Royce of burgers here. 2 handmade, never frozen patties with cheese between them? Rolls so fresh it’s like they just popped out of the oven? Free peanuts? The burger experience to which all others are compared….”

Molly White of Molly White Marketing also joined us. Even her one year old daughter seemed to agree.

“BaltimoreTom“, an infamous twitter personality, and his son joined us, as did Mario Armstrong, media personality and technology advocate, best known as the “tech guy” from CNN.

SushiGirl1223 from twitter also joined us, noting that Derek had been there also the day before. Why? Well, he loves Five Guys burgers. But also, it helped him to become “Mayor” of the Cockeysville Five Guys location on FourSquare.

Rounding out the group was our local foodie expert, Jessica Lemmo, The Baltimore Restaurant Examiner. As Jessica said, “Love my 5 Guys all the way with everything!”

Now, to be fair, it is a restaurant location versus a truck that cooks at individual stops. My next challenge will be to these same folks to eat at Kooper’s Tavern in Fell’s Point to taste test their burgers on site for it to be a true comparison.

However, if you are looking for a good burger in Northern Baltimore County, make sure to stop by Five Guys Burgers and Fries Cockeysville. You’ll be glad you did!

Five Guys Burgers and Fries Cockeysville is located at 10015 York Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030.

2313 Wonderview Rd – Ravenview Townhouse
Timonium, Maryland – Offered at $325,000.
*UPDATE: SOLD!*

• Download the Brochure (PDF)
• Schedule an Appointment
• Ask a Question
• View Virtual Tour

Explore this wonderful Timonium home for sale at $325,000…

• First Floor
• Second Floor
• Finished Basement
• Exterior
• Neighborhood

Read more

2313 Wonderview Road Timonium Broker’s Open Wednesday, March 24, 2010 12-2 pm

This Wednesday, March 24, 2010, please join me and my company, Keller Williams Excellence Realty, at a Broker’s Open to showcase my new listing at 2313 Wonderview Road in Timonium, MD.

This gorgeous townhouse has soaring ceilings, a beautiful kitchen with cherrywood cabinets and updated appliances, a brand new stunning master bathroom with two marble and cherrywood cabinet sinks, and a super walk-out lower level with possible fourth bedroom and full bath!

I will be there on Wednesday, along with my office colleagues as well as agents from other real estate brokerages in the area. Stop on by to have some light lunch and view this wonderful Timonium townhouse!

New Listing 2313 Wonderview Road Timonium, MD 21093 Virtual Tour

2313 Wonderview Rd in Timonium, MD is an absolutely gorgeous home with redone kitchen and new master bathroom.

This Timonium townhome has it all including a new virtual tour to showcase its beauty!

An amazing home with 10 foot ceilings, beautiful colors, lovely landscaping including a running water fish pond, don’t miss out on this fantastic home in the Ravenview community.

Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Hunt Valley this Weekend – “Scrambled Eggs”

Looking for something outdoors, interesting and fun to do this beautifully warm, sunny weekend?

Well, pack up your rain boots and head to Hunt Valley to the Oregon Ridge Nature Center where a Naturalist will take you around and show you which “critters” laid which eggs around Oregon Ridge Park!

Amphibians have laid their eggs by the masses in the ponds, and this is your chance to wade in the water and closely inspect these eggs.

The tour is from 2-4 pm both Saturday and Sunday, March 20 & 21.

So WELCOME SPRING, and COME ON OVER to Cockeysville!

Oregon Ridge Nature Center is located in Oregon Ridge Park at 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030. The Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday 9-5, and the park is open daily from dawn to dusk, plus additional hours for special events.

Mt Washington Wine Company Hosts Dark Horse Wine Tasting and Dinner March 26, 2010

The Mt Washington Wine Company is hosting an intimate Dark Horse Wine Tasting and Dinner at the Mt Washington Mill on Friday, March 26 from 6:30-9:30 pm.

Local chef, Beej Flamholz has created the menu for this neat event, including an Amuse Bouche, four courses, and dessert.

Space is limited to 24 guests, and reservations must be made by the 24th to Seth at 410-435-7410 or seth@mtwashingtonwine.com .

This looks to be an interesting night out at the Mill with good food and good times. With such limited space, don’t miss out – reserve today!

The menu, and the wine parings from Dark Horse Wine:

Amuse Bouche

*Chef’s Selection

1st Course

*Pan-roasted Sea Scallop, Cippolini Onion, Applewood Bacon, Grainy Mustard Buerre Blanc

“Andrew Peacock” 2008 Reserve Chardonnay

2nd Course

*Ahi Tuna Tartare – Jalepeno, Sun-Dried Tomato, Garlic Aioli, Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt

“Gunfighter- The Third Notch” 2008 (60% Zinfandel 30% Syrah 10% Cabernet Sauvignon)

3rd Course

*Wild Mushroom Risotto – Crispy Pancetta, Parmigiano Reggiano, African Blue Basil

“Peacemaker” 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

4th Course

*Gorgonzola Crusted Local Beef Tenderloin – Pureed Heirloom Purple Potatoes, Fried Shallots

“Andrew Peacock” 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Dessert Course

*Local Artisan Cheese Display, Fig Chutney, Raisin/Walnut Toast

“Treborce Vineyard” 2007 Zinfandel

Enjoy the Mt Washington Mill and this interesting event!

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