203k Draw Process - Why do we have to wait so long for our Check? You have probably heard about the nightmare/horror stories of people working through issue after issue to get their 203k closed.  I actually know someone that worked 9 months with their loan officer to move towards closing, ultimately to discover that they actually had to WAIT OVER 60 DAYS FOR THEIR FIRST DRAW CHECK!    AHHHHH!         A few INSIDER POINTERS to help you and your 203k planning: 1.   Go FHA 203K Streamline, ANY chance you can -  Verify that the mortgage company you are working with will advance 50% of your renovation funds UPFRONT! 2.   Work with a Company with their own DRAW DEPARTMENT - You will avoid the 60 day waits for your 1st advance and keep your contractor happy. 3.   IF you are using a HUD 203k Co... 06/21/2011

Residential Home Resale Statistics for Columbia, MD - May 2011 21044: May saw a decline in total sales volume and closed sales for Columbia, 21044, from both last month and last year. An 8% drop from April and a 24% drop from 2010, this part of Columbia had a tough month. However, homes sold slightly quicker than last month, staying on the market for an average of 109 days, and generally at a higher price, so there is some light at the end of the tunnel. 21044 21045: 21045 saw a steady improvement over April with sales increasing 15% and selling at a quicker rate. However, it we are still a ways away from May of 2010. Compared to last year, May saw a 45% drop in sales volume, a 43% drop in closed sales, and, at 82 days, houses were on the market more than twice as long as last year. An ... 06/17/2011

  Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 06/15/2011

  The beautiful Swansfield Neighborhood is  in the village of Harper's Choice in Columbia, Maryland. It is one of the first neighborhoods that were developed by James Rouse in the "New City" of Columbia, MD and many of the original Rouse employees made their homes in the Swasnfield neighborhood.  It is comprised of mostly single family homes and has two small townhome areas.  There are many Contemporary homes that were built by Artery Homes, some custom "Deck Homes" with striking architectural elements, other custom Contemporays, and many traditional houses, as well. The children in the Swansfield neighborhood are currently districted to attend Swansfield Elementary School, Harper's Choice Middle, and Wilde Lake High School. The area is adjacent to and surrounded by the Middle Patuxent... 06/10/2011

The Trails at Woodlot is a wonderful "outparcel" neighborhood located in Columbia, Maryland that is not subject to the Columbia Association assessment. It is a beautiful and unique "outparcel" with its own covenants and bylaws. Residents of The Trails at Woodlot may enjoy Columbia's amenities, but must pay a higher fee to join the recreational facilities.  The Trails at Woodlot is comprised of about 120 single family homes and townhomes, which were built in the late 1990's by Williamsburg, Patriot, and Ryland Home Builders. The area is surrounded by the Middle Patuxent area with thousands of acres of woodlands, streams, and paths - making it a wonderful neighborhood for those who enjoy the outdoors. Many of the homes in The Trails at Woodlot neighborhood are adjacent to the Parkland and... 06/09/2011

  Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 06/08/2011

Hobbit's Glen is a highly desired neighborhood in the Village of Harper's Choice in Columbia, Maryland. It is one of the neighborhoods in the Village of Harper's Choice ... and one of the "original" neighborhoods that James Rouse developed in the "New City".  These homes were built in the 1960's through the early 1980's.   Certainly not "old" by most city standards, but for Columbia, the Hobbit's Glen Neighborhood is one of the "oldie but goodies". The center piece of the neighborhood is the Hobbit's Glen Golf Course.  The most recent Hobbit's Glen Columbia home sales statistics are in the chart below. Hobbit's Glen is a beautiful neighborhood comprised of townhomes (in the newer section) and single-family houses. This Columbia neighborhood is unique because most of the houses in the or... 06/08/2011

Ellie McIntire | The McIntire Team of Long & Foster | (443) 418-7668 9656 Guilford Rd #4, Columbia, MD Located in the Howard County School System Plus all the benefits of the Columbia Association but with no CPRA! 3BR/2+1BA Townhouse offered at $275,000 Year Built 1998 Sq Footage 1,276 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $58 per month DESCRIPTION Located in the Howard County School System Plus all the benefits of the Columbia Association but with no CPRA! Great commuter location: close to all major routes! Beautiful 3BR/2.5BA townhome on a semi-private road with only ten other homes. The main level features an open floor plan: the spacious kitchen (with attached half bath) flows into the large living room (with wood-burnin... 05/31/2011

  Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 05/25/2011

  Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 05/19/2011

  Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 05/10/2011

One of my favorite local events of the year is "Wine in the Woods" Merriweather post pavillion and Symphony Woods in Columbia hosts this annual May event that attracts many people from across the state. The focus is on Maryland Wine and the local wineries. To be honest the wine is NOT the finest you will ever taste. Maryland weather is far from perfect for wine grapes, but despite the lack of year round sunshine there are still many participants. There is also lots of crafts, music and local food. We always take a huge group of friends, lots of good food, chairs and blankets and enjoy the day.....rain or shine! Here are photos from last years event! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you are planning to move to the Central Maryland... 05/10/2011

  Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 05/04/2011

It was an early start at Union Jack's British Pub in Columbia, MD this morning. The doors opened at 5:30am and by 6am all the tables were filled with patrons eager to enjoy the nuptials of the Royal Wedding in Westminster Abbey in London. Many of the ladies had dressed up & wore big hats to celebrate the day. There was a special Royal Menu for the morning that included a traditional English Breakfast (sadly without the mushrooms, but still tasty) smoked salmon & bottomless Mimosa's and Bloody Mary's for $10. For many, this was also going to be a work day so not really an option.The early bird today was WBAL who came and left by 6am, They were followed by the local ABC affiliate and All the TV's were tuned to ABC or BBC America for the ceremony. The Baltimore Sun were also on hand to rec... 04/29/2011

In the United Kingdom it is very common to see the women guest's at a wedding wearing a hat. It's not required, there does not seem to be a long standing rule, but it is a very normal practice.The first wedding I attended in this Country I stood out like a big sore thumb in my "titfer". (That is cockney rhyming slang for a hat). I was the only one wearing a hat as it seems it is NOT an American tradition. With the Royal Wedding just hours away the famous milliners of England are probably counting all of their income thanks to the Royal nuptials.Tomorrow I am up at the crack of dawn and heading to the local British Pub, "Union Jacks" in Columbia to watch the big ceremony. The fun starts at 5:30am. Today I searched in the attic for my hat box that contains my infamous wedding hat. I think... 04/28/2011

  Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046 04/27/2011

On Friday April 29th the residents of the United Kingdom will be taking a day off from work. It's a National Holiday as Prince William and Kate Middleton have the most  public wedding of the century. It seems my Royal invite got lost in the mail, but fortunately the best British Pub in the Central Maryland area, THE UNION JACK'S in Columbia, is hosting a Royal Wedding Morning.In the UK and on BBC America the coverage will begin at 3am, but Union Jacks will be opening the doors at 5:30am. Scones and Tea will be served with Bloody Mary's (named after Queen Mary) and Mimosas. I am sure the traditional British Breakfast will be a big hit too.Local TV network WBAL TV will be in house to enjoy the festivities. I am scheduled on air just after 6:15am to have a little chat with Jennifer Francio... 04/26/2011

Here is the latest information for homes that have been listed, gone under contract, or settled in the last seven days in Columbia, MD- 21044, 21045 and 21046.  You may also want to see: All Homes for Sale in Howard County  All Foreclosures for Sale in Howard County Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21044 Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21045   Mid-Week Market Real Estate Update for Columbia, MD 21046     04/20/2011

Top Seller Tuesday - Absorption Rates for Columbia   MONTH Absorption Rate for 21044 Zip Code - Columbia, Maryland: All Homes:  39 weeks of inventory Detached Homes: 41 weeks of inventory Condos and Townhomes:  41 weeks of inventory   MONTH Absorption Rate for 21229 Zip Code - Catonsville, Maryland: All Homes:  46 weeks of inventory Detached Homes:  67 weeks of inventory Condos and Townhomes:  34 weeks of inventory   Read this post to find out more about Absorption Rates and what they mean.  If you'd like more information about absorption rates for your area, how much your home is worth, Columbia home sales, or how long it will take to sell your home, please feel free to contact me.    04/19/2011

Affordable Townhomes for Sale in Columbia MD Overview Maps Photos Description Free List HUD Homes IDX Search $247,000 Townhouse Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 Partial Bathroom1 UnitLot: 1,352 sqft Location 6324 EARLY RED CTCOLUMBIA, MD 21045USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Nishika Jones Urban Living Realty(410) 952-2641listings@urbanlivingrealty.comhttp://www.TheHUDHomeList.com Nearby properties for sale 04/13/2011