Baltimore Smiley Face World Record

Baltimore has a new world record for the largest human smiley face to kick off the city’s summer campaign: “Find Your Happy Place in Baltimore”.

On May 13, 2010, outside the Maryland Science Center, 261 people gathered in orange and black ponchos to create the big smiley face.

The World Records Academy reported on the new world record, giving Baltimore props for its’ Happy Place campaign.

The goal is to show how happy you can be when you visit Baltimore and to garner more tourism for the great city.

Tom Noonan, the President and CEO of Visit Baltimore stated that:

“Baltimore makes us happy everyday, and we think the world’s largest smiley face is the perfect symbol to kick off our summer travel season,”

“No matter what makes you smile, we encourage travelers from all over the country to come and find their happy place in Baltimore this summer.”

Baltimore is also a wonderful place to live for many of its’ residents.

Contact me to learn more about living in Baltimore.

Qualify for $3,000 Buying Into Baltimore 2010 Homebuyer Fair and Neighborhood Tour

This Saturday, May 8, 2010, you can qualify for $3,000 to help buy a home in the West side of Baltimore City in the Buying Into Baltimore 2010 Homebuyer Fair and Neighborhood Tour.

What do you have to do to qualify for the $3,000 award?

First, you must visit 4 of the 16 homes featured on the tour. These are just samples of homes on the market that would qualify for the award. Meet and begin at the Polytechnic Institute at 1400 West Coldspring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21209. (As a side note, the East Side Buying Into Baltimore 2010 Homebuyer Fair and Neighborhood Tour will be September 11, 2010).

More details to qualify and receive the award from the LiveBaltimore.com site:

Bring your validated/stamped ticket, signed contract of sale & photo ID to Baltimore Housing, Office of Homeownership (417 E. Fayette St. Suite 1125 – contact info will be on ticket). You will be eligible for the award funds if all of the following conditions are met:

• A housing counseling certificate is required before a commitment letter for award funds will be issued. Counseling must be completed prior to signing a contract of sale. We urge you to get this housing counseling as soon as you can; it must be completed BEFORE signing the sales contract. Click here for a list of housing counseling agencies.
• You are one of the first 50 people to submit the validated home tour ticket, valid homeownership counseling certificate, and signed contract of sale to the City’s Homeownership Office.
• You must use this home as your primary residence.
• You close on your new home within 90 days from the event date. Contracts signed prior to the event will not be eligible for the award funds.
• Your property is within the fair boundaries.
• Your mortgage amount cannot exceed $417,000.
• You are encouraged to use a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac approved lender.
• You must invest a minimum of $1,000 from personal funds/resources.
• The award is secured by a Deed of Trust written for a five-year term; the payback obligation reduces 20% for each year of occupancy and is released after the five year period.

Purchase contracts must be signed and dated after the “Buying into Baltimore” event, not before. Contracts signed prior to the event date will not be accepted.

So here you have a great opportunity to buy a home in Baltimore City and receive a reward for doing so!

Contact me for more information on the West Side Buying into Baltimore 2010 Homebuyer Fair and Neighborhood Tour.

Baltimore Ravens Incredible Playoff Game Win, Head to Indianapolis Next Week

The Baltimore Ravens beat the Patriots 33-14 in an incredible win, making Baltimore PROUD!

From the first seconds when Ray Rice ran 83 yards to score a touchdown on the first drive to the amazing defensive plays forcing turnovers, the Ravens were there to WIN.

It feels like 2001 all over again, and that is GREAT.

The underdogs that no one expected to win, a wildcard into the playoffs, the misfit team that you wonder what they can do.

And that’s just how the Baltimore Ravens like it.

Going into Indianapolis to play the Colts as the clear underdogs, against a nearly perfect 2009 team, a team we have not beaten since 2002, the odds are stacked against us. And that is where the excitement comes alive for our players and our city.

Expect Baltimore to be purpled-up as we get together behind our Ravens and support their playoff run.

Times like these are the ones that show just how exciting, fun, and wonderful it is to live in Baltimore!

GO RAVENS!

Northrup Grumman Moving Headquarters to Washington, DC Area Should Help Baltimore Housing Market

The Los Angeles Times reported today that Northrup Grumman is moving its Headquarters to the Washington, DC area.

This could mean a lot of jobs in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area, if current employees don’t want to move across the country.

They will be scouting locations in all three states before deciding where to plant their roots, which will happen by summer of 2011.

Should they choose to be in Maryland or even the northern part of DC, this could be a fanastic for the Baltimore real estate market in 2011.

Why?

Washington, DC, the Potomac, and the surrounding areas are very expensive places to live. Now, coming from Los Angeles, it might not be as much of a shock, but with MARC trains and easy commutes from Baltimore to the DC area, living in Baltimore is a great option for those employees who will be working for them.

So, welcome, Northrup Grumman!