Baltimore Job Market Getting Better

The Baltimore job market is getting better, according to headhunters in the Baltimore area.

The Baltimore Business Journal reported that Maryland added 36,000 jobs in March, which is a great number. What that number doesn’t state, but the headhunters do, is that many of those jobs are temporary or not “permanent hires”. This means that people looking for long term employment are still having a harder time finding jobs. It is those who will work temporary placements who are doing well in this economy.

The Baltimore housing market is definitely affected by this because without permanent employment, people cannot buy houses. Temporary employment means that these people need to be transient-available, and not looking at long term housing — even apartment-wise.

The good news is that these companies are planning to hire long term if they find these employees fit their needs and their growth continues, which they indicate they are doing. Once these jobs become more permanent, then hopefully we will see a similar upswing in the economy, and therefore Baltimore house values.

Thornton Road Construction in Towson

If you drive by the area of Thornton Road and West Joppa Rd, you most likely have noticed (or been stuck in traffic) because of the Thornton Road Construction in Towson.

Searching the Baltimore County Government site, I wasn’t able to come up with much information, “Thornton Road Construction” sends me to this page, where I see information about the Thornton Mill Bridge overpass by Western Run which is in Cockeysville.

I also found an old article from the Towson Times by Lori Ingraham from 2003, when that major construction on West Joppa bridge crossing over 695 was happening. In the article, she states:

The project will also provide a continuous sidewalk on Thornton Road, and landscaped stormwater management facilities in the area. And the bridges will be more “aesthetically pleasing,” according to SHA.

I do not believe that happened yet, so I wonder if this is the continuation/end of this project. New sidewalks have been installed across the street from the Royal Farm. I also found from the Ruxton Riderwood Lake Roland Area Improvement Association information about a possible bike path (action 5.2a) on Thornton Road from Timonium Rd to Joppa Rd.

It has been causing delays as people come south on Thornton to go to West Joppa Rd, as many times there are sign people and one lane open at a time. If I get more information, I will share this with you!

Tax Credit Ending Questions and Concerns

Guest blogger, T Jeremy Loomis, Sales Manager for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, talks of tax credit ending questions and concerns.

Is it time to change how buyers view contract issues with the tax credit ending?

Probably…

We have seen a market recently that one would call a “buyers market”, where the buyer has more control over the purchase of their new home and the seller may have to make more concessions they would in a “seller’s market”. But with the tax credit ending on April 30th, 2010 (remember a qualifying buyer must be in a binding sales contract by 4-30-2010 and settlement on the new home by 6-30-2010) the sellers will gain the upper hand.

So if a buyer is already in a binding sales contract what do they have to worry about? Quite simply, what happens during the process and after April 30th if issues come up with an inspection, the appraisal report, etc…What happens if a buyer has to negotiate repairs, appraisal issues, or the like once Friday’s deadline passes? A buyer who is vying for the tax credit will need to tread lighter after the 30th as a seller could be less likely to negotiate on a certain area and the buyer really has 2 choices at that time — walk away from the contract and the tax credit (remember you may not have that option at all) or work with the seller to come to a reasonable win-win situation to continue with the contract.

Overall, we will see sellers with a better bargaining position then they have had over the past few years. And we must remember that buyers must remain reasonable with all requests when issues arise and think “what if I was on their side”.

The final question a buyer would have to think about: Is the issue at hand worth losing a tax credit up to either $6,500 (for those “move up” buyer) or $8,000 (first time home buyers)?

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Thank you, Jeremy!

Contact Jeremy and myself for more information on the tax credit deadline!

Olympian Park Towson

The Olympian Park construction is under way on the Towson Circle to honor Baltimore County Olympians.

Orange fencing and yellow tape have been on the site for awhile on the site of a former gas station.

Located at the corner of Allegheny & West Joppa Rd (and the Towson Circle), it is a nice site that has been unused for some time.

The first Olympians to be honored by the new park are all swimmers who have medaled in the games. Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, and Jessica Long will have column monuments with their names and medal achievements. More Baltimore County Olympians will be added in the future.

The park has a great location near local shops, as well as the larger stores on the Towson Circle and is caddy-corner to the Towson Town Center Mall,  as well as being across from the upstairs entrance to Barnes & Noble and Trader Joe’s in Towson Circle Plaza.

Baltimore County has been home to a number of past Olympic champions and hopefully many more in the future. It should be wonderful to have this new Towson park to celebrate their achievements and have a nice place to sit when spending time in Towson!

Towsontown Spring Festival

The Towsontown Spring Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, May 1 & 2, 2010!

This is the 43rd Annual Festival held on Washington Avenue in Downtown Towson.

There are many vendors with great wares, as well as delicious food to purchase, plus many activities for people of all ages!

From the Towsontown Spring Festival site:

• Live Music
• Great Food, Beer & Wine
- Radio Games & Give-aways
- Dance Teams
- Gymnastics
- NASCAR Racecar Displays
- Magic Shows
- Pony Rides at the Petting Zoo
- Moon Bounces
- Carnival Games
- Antique Cars

Last year my son really enjoyed the moon bounce and kids games, as well as seeing all of the fire engines out for display. We enjoyed some pit BBQ and saw the vendors. A great time had by all!

Celebrate Towson and Spring this weekend. Maybe I will see you there!

Spring Cleaning Hints

Spring Cleaning Hints thanks to Home Warranty of America, and Joanna Share, our Baltimore representative, for these great ideas!

THINK SPRING!

The clocks have “sprung” ahead, baseball training is underway and here at HWA we all have one thing on our minds – SPRING!

Along with all the fun Spring brings, there’s also a lot of work to do. Spring is the best time to clean, organize and update your home.

Check Out Your Home’s Equipment

Take the time to scan your home equipment for anything that may need service or repair. Top appliances and systems to check out are air conditioning units, the furnace and filter, stoves (especially gas for any leaks) and water heaters for leaks as well.

By scanning your home’s equipment and appliances, you will have the opportunity to fix any possible problems before an unexpected accident or breakdown occurs.  This is great to do both in the spring and fall.  Always hire a professional to maintain your larger systems and handle any repairs.

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Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning can be anything from polishing floors and moving furniture to organizing and sorting through your cabinets. Whatever the spring cleaning needs are for your home, here’s a list of how to get started!

Target the mess!

Take a few minutes to mentally survey each room. Jot down a list of the problem areas of each room. Focus on areas that really bother you or that your family finds impossible to keep clean.

Diagnose the mess!

For each of the problem areas, figure out the reason why the mess happens and continues to happen. Usually there are several reasons why an area in your home is consistently messy.

Fix the mess!

Think about new habits and tools that can make those messes disappear. Will storage containers or shelving help? Do habits need to be changed and enforced? Is it a combination? Keep in mind the best organizing system does no good if it is not utilized. So come up with a plan that is attainable and easily enforced for your family.

Make it happen!

Buy the tools or materials you need to better organize your home. Force new habits onto yourself and your household so everyone remembers to put items properly in their newly organized space.

Fantastic Master Bath in Timonium Townhouse

A fantastic master bath in a Timonium Townhouse is hard to come by.

Enter 2313 Wonderview Road, a gorgeous townhome in Timonium with a brand new super master bathroom!

Two Cherrywood marble counter top sinks have individual mirrors and dual sconces for good lighting.

A brand new extra long shower showcases ceramic tile work, including built in shelving. The sliding glass door and a window creates a light and airy space.

Recessed lighting overhead and a new ceramic tile floor make for an incredible and inviting place to start your day and end the evening.

The walk-in closet is right off the bath, so you can continue to enjoy the luxury as you choose your clothes.

Spacious, open and warm, this master bath is highly unusual for the Ravenwood / Chapel Hill townhome community.

A gorgeous bathroom in a large, beautiful home!

Contact me for more information on this great Timonium townhouse or other Timonium houses.

Appeal Your Maryland Property Tax Assessment

Have you thought about how to appeal your Maryland Property Tax Assessment?

A house assessed in 2008 would have its value higher than it is today, and wouldn’t be eligible to be reassessed for another year. Why pay higher taxes than necessary?

If you buy a house before July in any year, you can file an “appeal upon purchase” within 60 days of settlement, and have a hearing scheduled.

There are a number of steps to be taken as shown on the Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation website.

You will need to fill out a Petition for Review of Real Property and send it to your local assessment office. The local assessment office for Baltimore County is right in Towson in the Hampton Plaza.

Ruxton Graul’s Fights Cancer Day April 24, 2010

This Saturday, April 24, 2010 is the Ruxton Graul’s Fights Cancer Day.

The Mays Chapel Graul’s and Hereford Graul’s stores will be participating as well.

Festivities and fun will be held in the parking lot of the Ruxton Graul’s with children’s activities, balloon artists, live music and good times.

5% of all grocery sales on Saturday go to benefit the American Cancer Society.

The Ruxton Graul’s is located in the Ruxton Village Shops on Bellona Avenue in Towson.

Baltimore County Property Taxes to Remain Steady in 2010

Baltimore County property taxes will not be raised in 2010, according to County Executive Jim Smith’s budget, released last week.

County pension and healthcare benefits were cut back to ensure that Baltimore County property taxes would not be raised.

Baltimore City income tax may be raised due to a deficit. Luckily the cuts and management of the Baltimore County budget prevent this need in the County.

Included in the budget is staffing for the new West Towson Elementary School.

The Baltimore Business Journal reported this great news about the budget.

To have property taxes not raised in a year where the economy is hurting so many people is a nice relief, and a definite plus for living in Baltimore County!

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