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Gaithersburg, MD Real Estate News

By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Gaithersburg Fall Tennis Tournaments Avid tennis players will not want to miss the registration deadlines for the Gaithersburg Fall Tennis Tournaments.  These tournaments provide a wonderful opportunity for tennis players of all ages to enjoy the sport in competitive settings. August 30 is the registration deadline for the doubles and September 10 is the registration deadline for the singles. Go to the official website for more information. This is the notice from the City of Gaithersburg: The City of Gaithersburg will host a series of tennis tournaments for all ages this fall. Doubles tournaments will take place on September 7 and 8 and singles tournaments will take place on September 21 and 22. All tournaments will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at various City tennis courts. Each matc...
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Montgomery County, MD Real Estate Market Statistics, July, 2013   There are 2,210 active listings of homes for sale in Montgomery County, Maryland. 72 (3.26%) of the available properties are lender owned foreclosures (REO). 161 (7.29%) of the listings are short sale pre-foreclosures. Short sale transactions require the approval of the secured mortgage lenders since the anticipated proceeds of a sale would not fully satisfy the outstanding mortgage obligations. During July, 2013, the total sold dollar volume of residential properties in Montgomery County, MD was $677,458,922, up 39.56% from the same month last year. There were 1,280 closed sales, up 31.69%, with a median sold price of $435,500, up 10.29%. The average sold price was $529,265, up 5.98%, with an average of 35 days on the ma...
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Food for a day at Manna Food Center, Gaithersburg, MD   Wegmans will be opening a new food store in Germantown on September 15. However, Wegmans is not waiting until then to reach out to the community. Wegmans recently donated 18,324 pounds of food to Manna Food Center, the main food bank for Montgomery County, MD.  Wegmans will become part of the continuing program. How much food does it take to feed the hungry in our community? A lot! Manna Food Center distributes an average of 16,000 pounds of food every day. During the most recent fiscal year, which ended on June 30, Manna Food Center distributed about 86,000 boxes of food to 43,000 households. Eligible families receive monthly food packages that contain about 70 pounds of food. Other food chains in the area also participate in the ...
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Median Homes Sales Prices in the Washington, DC Metro Area, July, 2013   Families that are being relocated to the Washington, DC Metro Area need to be well prepared for a very active real estate market. The July median home prices in the area reached the highest level since 2005.  The median sold price during July was $425,000, up 10.4% from the same month last year. One of the initial challenges for home buyers in the DC Metro Area is to decide where they want to purchase. It is a large market. The median sales price chart in this report allows a comparison of median prices in the various jurisdictions. The home price increases have been more dramatic in some areas than others. Please contact us for information on the market conditions in specific communities that are of interest. We a...
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Washington, DC Metro Area Housing Trends – July, 2013   The July real estate market statistics for the Washington, DC Metro Area were released this week by RBI, RealEstate Business Intelligence. This information was prepared for distribution by real estate professionals. During July, 2013 there were 4,953 closed transactions in the DC Metro Area, up 18.9% from the same month last year. The median sold price was $425,000, up 10.4% with a median of 12 days on the market. There were 5,013 pending sales, up 9.7% and 5,812 new listings, up 26.9%. The average sales price was 98.5% of the original list price.       "Single-family detached homes and townhomes had the strongest sales growth of the property segments, each rising 19.6 percent from this time last year.  This is the largest year-ove...
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Gaithersburg Fall Golf Classic   Now is a good time to select your foursome and to register to play in the Gaithersburg Fall Golf Classic to be held at Clustered Spires in Frederick, Maryland, on Friday, September 27, 2013. The shotgun start begins at 8:45 a.m. Enjoy a round of golf with your friends on this beautiful course, have a great lunch, maybe win a prize and know that the Proceeds Benefit Youth Coaches Education Program.  This is the tournament notice from the City of Gaithersburg: On Friday, September 27, 2013, the City of Gaithersburg will host its annual Fall Golf Classic at the Clustered Spires Golf Course in Frederick, Maryland. This 4-player scramble format tournament is limited to the first 30 foursomes. Proceeds from the Gaithersburg Fall Golf Classic benefit the Youth ...
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Second Wave of Foreclosures in Maryland   The long expected second wave of real estate foreclosures has begun to arrive in Maryland.  Many lenders were forced to delay foreclosure proceedings since 2010 while documentation errors were corrected. That backlog is now increasing the foreclosure filings. Maryland is one of the states that require court approval for foreclosures and the process led to long delays. Even though mortgage delinquency rates are still higher than normal in Maryland, it appears that the surge in foreclosures volume relates more to long delayed actions than to current filings. Although the markets in some communities are negatively impacted by vacant and neglected foreclosures, real estate investors are anxious to take advantage of investment opportunities in the in...
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By Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA, 301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA
(Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties )
Homes in Kentlands Gaithersburg  Maryland 20878   The latest listings and market watch for Kentlands Gaithersburg MD Real Estate as of August 2013 To see the absolutely latest real estate listings in the Kentlands Maryland go here Closed sales in and around Gaithersburg reflected an uptrend for the month of June 2013   Sample Listings below  Latest Listings in the Kentlands Gaithersburg  MD $1,050,000 ▼ 305 BECKWITH STREET, Gaithersburg Kitchen update in process -Charleston inspired elegant Rocky Gorge home with 3 fnshd levs, 5,500 Sq Ft plus Bedrm/office suite w full bath over garage - 5 bdrms, 4 1/2 ba... Beds 5 Baths 5.0 MLS MC8057847   $799,900 342 HART ROAD, Gaithersburg Welcome to this gorgeous Kentlands luxury townhome. Enter through the open Foyer with custom hardwood floors th...
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Home Title Options for Same-Sex Couples in Maryland Co-ownership of a residence   Maryland is among the dozen or so states plus the District of Columbia that recognize same-sex marriages. As same-sex partners get married, one of the questions is how they should take title to a co-owned residence. There are three basic options for married co-owners to take title in a residence in Maryland. Co-owners can take title as tenants in common or joint tenants with rights of survivorship. Married couples have the option to take title as tenants by the entirety. We always advise co-owners to seek legal advice on the form of ownership that will best meet their personal objectives. When they take title as tenants in common, co-owners each share a percentage of ownership.  Each co-owner can sell or b...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Thieves Target Homes for Sale   When the unemployment level is high or the economy is sluggish, thefts from homes for sale tend to increase. The favorite targets for thieves are vacant properties including, especially, foreclosures. Vacant foreclosures are preferred because the previous owners are gone and it is less likely that someone knows or cares what personal property is missing. When your washing machine is not working or the refrigerator dies, and there is no available money, it is easy to get what is needed from a vacant home. It is not unusual to see missing appliances and air conditioning compressors. Sometimes, the light fixtures and hot water heater are also gone. I purchased a nice home at a trustee sale and before settlement, the appliances and the kitchen cabinets were r...
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Peach Festival, Carroll County Farmers Market, August 10, 2013   This Saturday, August 10, is the date for the annual Peach Festival at the Carroll County Farmers Market in Westminster, Maryland.  This is the biggest event of the season at the Market.  The Market is also the location of the Brain Injury Association’s “Eat A Peach Bike Ride”. This week, the Farmers Market will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors will provide free peach treats and recipes for visitors. Local peaches and peach sundaes, peach ice cream, peach cobblers, peach pies, peach cakes, and other food items are offered for sale.  I love the peach ice cream! Music will be provided by the General Store Band and 75 vendors will participate with all local fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, frozen, home raised meats, nu...
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Kentlands Historical Trust Seeking New Members   As the community matures, many home owners in Kentlands request approval for architectural changes. These changes must be approved by the Kentlands Historical Trust as a continuing effort to maintain Kentlands as an outstanding community. The Kentlands Historical Trust is currently seeking new members with architectural or construction experience. It is good if members are familiar with the latest building materials and roofing products. The Trust meets at the Kentlands Clubhouse on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. to review change applications that have been submitted by home owners. The members are appointed for two year terms that may be renewed. If you are willing to serve on the Kentlands Historical Trust and have exper...
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Home buyers being photographed while viewing houses for sale   Home owners recognize the importance of home security. In addition to the typical window and door alarms, some residents are using security cameras that have audio capability as well. The cameras can be used to show exterior and indoor activities. A few homes have cameras that cover every room and the garage. Security systems may be monitored by remote computers which allow residents to check their homes from their office or tablet. It is a good way to keep an eye on home care providers and children. Home buyers and their agents need to be alert to the presence of security systems because they may be photographed and their comments may be monitored by the home sellers.  Home sellers are able to identify those that may do dam...
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By Bridget "Mortgage Mama" McGee, Maryland Mortgage Mama NMLS#196068
(SWBC Mortgage 410-960-2061)
  Taco Night at Quincy’s Bar & Grill   For "Mother's Fighting For Others"   •   Host   Gift of Education Committee for MFFO (Rita Ahuja,  Dede       Burrell,  Ann Marie Clements,  Audrey June Forshey, Tina Grohowski, Terry Hall,  Nancy Hodges, Jackie Humenik, Connie Johnson,  Melissa King,  Lori Kirkland,  Bridget McGee,  Sue Quinn, Kerry Roth, Lavina Samtani,   Suzanne Scharf, Dee Valentine)        When:   Tuesday, August 13 at 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM    Where    Quincy's Bar & Grill 616 Quince Orchard Road
     Gaithersburg, MD 20878     Message From Host Five years ago we became involved with MFFO, an organization that supports a girls orphanage in Kenya. Currently we are supporting 44 girls, ages ranging from 5 to 19. Our goal is to provide our girls with a protective, loving environmen...
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Summertime reading suggestion: The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry   If you need some good books for your summertime reading enjoyment, I recommend the eight books in the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry.  The main character in this action series is Cotton Malone, a former Justice Department operative.  You will find lots of history, conspiracies and international adventure in these novels. Start with The Templar Legacy (2006) if you wish to read the series in order. However, each is a stand- alone novel and you will still enjoy all of them if not read in sequence. The other books in the series are  The Alexandria Link (2007), The Venetian Betrayal (2007), The Charlemagne Pursuit (2008), The Paris Vendetta (2009), The Emperor’s Tomb (2010), The Jefferson Key (2011), and The King’s Dece...
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Butterflies Live! At Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden   When Dolores and I are in the area of Richmond, Virginia, one of the places we love to visit is Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. The gardens are beautiful and we enjoy photographing the flowers and plants. We are annual members and try to go there several times each year. Butterfiles Live! is a very special live butterfly exhibit in the Conservatory and will be available until Sunday, October 12, 2013. We, of course, like to photograph the butterflies as well as the flowers. This indoor exhibit allows visitors to get up close to hundreds of tropical butterflies and explore their origins, preferred habitats and lifecycles. The photographs in this blog were taken during a recent visit. If you can, allow several hours for your visit. You w...
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Spell the names correctly in blogs and on Facebook Social Media Mistakes & Fixes   It is so easy to spell a name incorrectly in a blog, a blog comment or on Facebook. I have made this mistake. If fact, I have even used a wrong last name in a re-blog. I read a lot of blogs every day and see spelling errors in many of them. Real estate professionals should use the spell check feature for every blog and every comment. In the rush of life, it is easy to have typos. In comments on my posts, I have seen my name as Ray, Rob, Bob, and many other variations rather than Roy. My last name is Kelley but is frequently spelled Kelly in blogs and comments. My wife’s name is Dolores but is frequently spelled incorrectly in a number of different ways.  All of us like to see our own names and all of us r...
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Don’t mix vacation plans with social media Social Media Mistakes and Fixes Many of us have mentioned planned vacations in blogs or on Facebook.  Sometimes, we have given specific dates when we would be away. And, even worse, some of us have posted vacation details while still away. Anybody in the security business would advise us that we put our homes and possessions at risk when we make vacation announcements on the internet.  If you left behind a house sitter, you may be putting that person at risk as well. During this vacation season, it is a good time to remind family members not to disclose vacation plans on the internet until you have returned to your home. There will be plenty of time to talk about vacations and to share photographs after you are back. Enjoy your vacation and tel...
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Things you probably don’t know about my present – Roy Kelley   Our friend in Clarksville, Debbie Reynolds, has challenged ActiveRain bloggers to write about ten things that other bloggers probably do not know about us in the present.  The idea is to help us to get to know more about members of the ActiveRain network. The most important fact about my life is that I married the best wife in the world. Dolores and I celebrated our 48th anniversary this year. Most of the interesting things that I do are done with Dolores. I love good food and am very lucky that Dolores is an outstanding cook. Together, we enjoy selecting wines that will go well with the dishes she will be serving. We live in Kentlands, a neo-traditional community, in the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland. I enjoy the convenien...
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Things you probably don’t know about my past - Roy Kelley My friend Debbie Reynolds has challenged ActiveRain bloggers to write about ten things from the past that are probably not known by other members. The idea is to get to know more about the bloggers in the ActiveRain network. This challenge should encourage some of us to record our personal history to pass on to family members. I was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and was raised in Cradock, one of the first planned communities in the country.  Cradock was planned by the federal government, during World War I, as a community to house workers that would be employed at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. As a boy, I rode my bike through every street in Cradock. I enjoyed the Saturday cowboy movies at the Afton Theater and my favorite lunch at ...
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