Cockeysville and Hunt Valley Home Sales Statistics Year 2009

Cockeysville and Hunt Valley home sales in 2009 statistically were very stable.

There were consistently over 100 houses on the market for sale in Hunt Valley. December 2009 was a slow month with only 4 houses going under contract, but other months on average 10-16 did. That same average applies for properties that settled.

From December ‘08 to December ‘09, there was a 16.1% increase in sales price for homes under contract & 8% in properties that settled.

The median list price remained the same, around $359,000. The median price of those under contract is much lower, though, at about $317,000. The ones that settled averaged around $320,000. This shows that the higher priced ones are staying on the market longer, with about a $40,000 difference from average list to average sold price. It appears once reduced to a certain level, the houses do go under contract and settle.

Not even just price went up, but number of units as well. Things have definitely improved in 21030 home sales in the last 12 months. With the First Time Homebuyer tax credit extension, I foresee more homes going under contract through April 30, 2010 in Cockeysville, since the price range is very popular for those who are eligible and taking advantage of this credit.

Home sellers in Hunt Valley and Cockeysville need to take advantage of this credit, and sell to those who are out there now, and won’t be after April 30.

Hunt Valley Home Sales Statistics Past Six Months

My compilation of the 21030 real estate market statistics for the last six months are here!  The full chart includes data on sales, contract, and active homes from June 22-December 6, 2009.

What the full chart shows is that prices and inventory really have stabilized in the Cockeysville and Hunt Valley real estate market. There are a few spikes, but in general, the past six months have been fairly even. Prices have actually risen by about 12% in the past 12 weeks compares to the prior 12, but the number of houses going under contract have dropped about 10%.

Consistently, there have been about 100 homes for sale in 21030, while on average only 3-4 of those homes are going under contract each month, and only 2-3 are settling each month.  There is a large inventory for Cockeysville homebuyers, with an average of only about 3% of listed homes going under contract each month.

These 21030 home sale statistics show that pricing correctly, having the home in showplace condition, and good marketing are imperative in this Hunt Valley housing market.

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 Hunt Valley home or Cockeysville neighborhood, these factors need to be taken into consideration. If you would like a Hunt Valley or Cockeysville home price evaluation, please contact me today.

Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Cockeysville Celebrates the Holidays with a Wreath Making Party December 5 & 6, 2009

The Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Cockeysville is ready to celebrate the holiday season with a wreath making party this weekend! From 2-4 pm both Saturday and Sunday, adults, bring your gloves and your clippers, and make a fresh evergreen wreath for only $8 per wreath.

Kids — you come too and in the auditorium there will be Holiday movies shown!

Oregon Ridge Nature Center has great events all year long for young & old alike. This is just another fun thing to do alone or with a friend — while if you have children, they can enjoy their afternoon too!

Another great reason to live in Cockeysville or live in Hunt Valley — to be so close to such a great place!

You must make reservations and pay in advance. Contact the Oregon Ridge Nature Center at 410-887-1815 to reserve your spot today.

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.

Oregon Ridge in Cockeysville ’s “Spooky Forest Fact Frolic” this Saturday and Sunday October 31 & November 1, 2009

Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Cockeysville, MD, has so much to offer for people of all ages.

This Saturday and Sunday they will be hosting the “Spooky Forest Fact Frolic“, a free event, where you explore the park to find clues and win prizes!

Start off at the center to pick up your booklet, romp through the spooky forest, and return to get your prize!

For the braver souls, Friday, October 30 from 7-9 offers the “Ghosts of Miners Past” for $2/person. Traipse through the park at night in this tour — which used to be a mining town — and they claim you will meet ghosts of miners who never left the mines!

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.

Another great reason to be in Hunt Valley!

Senate Agrees to Extend Homebuyer Tax Credit — Now onto a Vote and the House — What does this mean for Towson Homebuyers?

According to the Associated Press, per their article of 8 pm October 28, 2009, the Senate agreed to extend the Homebuyer Tax Credit for people writing contracts through the end of April, 2010, and settling by the end of June, 2010.

They are also including a reduced credit of up to $6,500 for repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years.

There will be income limits and sales price limits, all of which will be spelled out when the legislation is officially circulated.

If this passes both the Senate and the House, it is great news for the Towson homebuyers who were hoping to benefit from this credit but were unable to find a home to close on by the current deadline of November 30, 2009. It also helps reduce the artificially inflated market they were competing in due to this looming deadline.

This would also be good news for the Towson home sellers below the agreed price limits because they now have time to get their houses truly ready to sell, get their houses staged, and price it right — without the rush!

I will keep you updated as it hopefully passes through the Senate and hopefully in the House as well before heading to our President’s desk for his signature!

Trick or Treat at Hunt Valley Towne Center this Friday October 30, 2009 4-6 pm

Halloween provides for many activities to celebrate the holiday!

Hunt Valley Towne Center is offering trick or treating on Main Street from 4-6 pm on FRIDAY, the 30th to get ready for the 31st!

So get dressed up & come on out to see the spooky ghosts and goblins along Main Street. It is sure to be a Scarily Good Time! You’ll get tricked and treated — while you prepare for the big night in your neighborhood!

Another great activity that the wonderful area that Hunt Valley Real Estate has to offer!

Hunt Valley Towne Center is located at 118 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030. Main Street is the oval drive in the center of the shops and restaurants.

Towson and Timonium House Values Volatile Week by Week

The past year, as most of us know, has shown a volatile real estate market in the Towson, Timonium, and Hunt Valley marketplace.

The statistics revealed, however, were very unusual. The sale prices varied very widely BY WEEK! (View the full two page chart here)

What does this mean for Towson homeowners?

It means that an exact number can’t be reached in terms of the value of your home. The price fluxuation is consistent with the interest rate flux. Depending on the interest rate, your home could be worth more or less this week!
It also means that if you are thinking about selling, you have to anticipate the market, and price on the lower side. Page two of the Market Dynamics chart shows median prices, and the ones they don’t sell are the ones that are priced too high!

Hunt Valley’s Oregon Ridge Offers Harry Potter Halloween October 24-25 2-4 pm

I wrote a few weeks ago about the Honey Making Festival at the Oregon Ridge Nature Center, and how the Center is a hidden treasure in the Park in Hunt Valley.

For all of you Harry Potter fans out there, this weekend is “Harry Potter Halloween”!

For $2 per child (or other crafters!) paid in advance, one can make Harry Potter themed crafts and learn about wizardry!

While you are there, you can visit the gorgeous changing leaves and hike the trails to enjoy the fall weather, or browse the Center to see the bees, birds, and turtles close up!

Oregon Ridge Nature Center In Hunt Valley Maryland

Have you been to the Nature Center at Oregon Ridge Park in Hunt Valley? If not, you should give it a visit.

Today was the 28th Annual Honey Harvest Festival, where kids and adults alike were able to see the process of how honey is created from the combs of the bees nests.

Add onto that the petting zoo, the owls, candle dipping, hay rides, and cider making, a fun filled day was ready for all to enjoy.

On a regular basis, there are weekend programs, like Fall programs, Holiday Crafts, and more. Here is the Oregon Ridge site with a calendar of events and more details!

Even when there aren’t special events, the Nature Center is open Tues-Sun 9am-5pm, where you can visit birds, turtles, bees and more, plus get a trail guide to hike around the trail.

Located off Shawan Road West of I-83, and just east of Falls Road, the convenience for a free fun filled time is fantastic!

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit is Running Out of Time

November 30, 2009 seems far enough away. It’s after Thanksgiving, and it’s currently 95 degrees out. Who’s counting?

Towson First Time Homebuyers should be, that’s who!

If you want to take advantage of the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, you must get MOVING NOW!

It can take some time to find a house. If we start looking tomorrow, it could take you 30 days to find the perfect place, couldn’t it? Today is August 24. 30 days brings us to September 24. If you are using an FHA mortgage, banks are stating 45-60 days to ensure issues that may arise are covered/taken care of. That brings you to yes, November 24th. What is November 24th? The Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Think of all of the First Time Homebuyers across the US trying to take advantage of this credit. All under the same guidelines, deadlines, etc. How well do you think a closing may go on November 24th????

Keep in mind, if you settle December 1, you will NOT receive the tax credit benefit, even if the delayed closing is NOT YOUR FAULT. You would still not be eligible.

So what does this mean?

Contact me today to GET MOVING and get $8,000 back from the government on your taxes next year. WHAT A GIFT!

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Here is a great chart by Chik Quintans of Blue Sky Mortgage Strategies in Seattle, Washington showing just how little time is left!

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