I am a REO agent as well as specializing in Vacation Homes so i thought I would share some trends I am seeing with foreclosures in Southern Maryland. -Some banks are not willing to pay 50/50 of the transfers. This could affect your offer so be sure to ask if you are putting an offer in on a foreclosure. -Most of the properties I list have multiple offers on them if they are priced right. Even if it has been on the market for months. Be sure your buyer agent knows how to handle multiple offers or you could loose out. -Banks are trying to get alot of ernest money. Almost all of them counter offers on ernest money. -More cash offers are making it hard for the first time buyer to compete. -Investors are starting to get in the game and buying up properties. -It is becoming more difficult to ... 03/10/2010

Spring is coming up and people are starting to think about planning their summer vacation.  Vacation Home rentals are gaining in popularity. When I first started to rent vacation homes out a few years ago there were only a couple of other homes available for vacation rentals in the area.  Now it is becoming popular and there are probably around 20 homes here available to rent. Your home does not have to be waterfront. As long as there is a beach in walking distance it will be desirable to a potential renter.  I just opened up my own company Western Shore Realty, LLC to manage vacation home rentals for home owners.  You can view my site to see the services I offer and vacation rentals available: www.WesternShoreVacationRentals.com.  Sign up for a free evaluation of your home to see if it... 03/03/2010

In the Sunday issue of the Washington Post there were some interesting figures. In the fourth quarter delinquent borrowers rose to 10.9% up from the same period last year of 8.78%. In Maryland delinquency is even more of a problem they are at a 14.7% rate compared with last year at 11%. They believe foreclosures could reach the highest levels by the end of 2010 due to unemployment. This will be a good year to purchase a foreclosed vacation home! Visit my site for Bnk owned listings: www.SouthernMarylandvacation.com. Phyllis Minik, SmdVacation.com 02/25/2010

The Southern Maryland  Calvert County  North Beach 20714  December MRIS Real Estate Stats are out the tenth of each month! The December North Beach  MD MRIS Stats show that  four homes sold in North Beach MD out of a total of  84 . Next month, so far, this will be 4 plus whatever sell the rest of the month. The list to sales price ratio is roughly 88%...i.e. a home in North Beach MD   listed for $100,000 sold for roughly $88,000 versus the $90,000 in 2008 as a means of explanation. For more information on the December North Beach  Maryland Real Estate Statistics for 2009, call Cheryl Ritchie, RE/MAX 100, at 301 855 5215 or visit www.GoldenResults.com 01/10/2010

What does Saturday in the life of a Realtor resemble? There is no set pattern. It probably looks different for each of us. But it is a different work flow than the weekdays. Saturday in the Life of a Realtor, or for this Realtor in Southern Maryland, means make roughly a dozen showing appointments soon for this afternoon. Then it's do the preparation for the two listing appointments that follow the dozen home showings. Then it's come back and clear off the desk and clean up the paperwork so there's a clear desk and clean checklist for Monday. This morning was check the emails, blogs, and social networking sites for a quick run down. I learned about sending large files on Windows Live so I signed up to be able to do that. Late, very late , this evening I have a Netflix movie that should ... 01/09/2010

Okay, there's roasted marshmellows. There's hot apple cider. There's a spot to warm yourself by the fire on the beach at North Beach, MD. And there's also the C-C-C-C-Cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay awaiting you for the North Beach Maryland Annual Polar Bear Swim hosted by the Town of North Beach in Southern Maryland. The North Beach Polar Bear Swim starts at 1PM at the North Beach Maryland Waterfront between Bay Avenue and 5th Street. You can call Town Hall for additional information at 301-855-6681. All ages and sizes and shapes welcome. Click here for a photo gallery of memories. You'll Retrieve Golden Results with Cheryl Ritchie, RE/MAX 100, for all your Southern Maryland Real Estate Services. Or visit www.GoldenResults.com for more Southern Maryland Real Estate Information.     12/28/2009

POLAR BEAR SWIM  New Year's Day 2010 Plunge takes place at 1:00 p.m. so be there by 12:00 noon Want an invigorating new year? Start yours by joining in on the fun on New Year's Day 2010 at 1:00 p.m. for the annual North Beach Polar Bear Swim! To start 2009, a record crowd of thousands turned out to splash into the 35 degree Chesapeake Bay. An even larger crowd lined the boardwalk and fishing pier to watch. Here's the Polar Bear Swim photo gallery. Polar Bear Plungers in the past have ranged from 6 years to 90+! Come and join the fun on New Year's Day! Visit Website:  Welcome To North Beach         Discover Calvert County.....where relaxation is a lifestyle, not a vacation. We consider Calvert County an excellent place to reside and would love to share with you our enthusiasm for the ma... 12/19/2009

Location:  North Beach County:  Calvert Community:  Chesapeake Lighthouse List Price:  $249,900 Year Built:  1994 PERFECT FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS!  This well maintained 3 level, end unit townhouse backs up to woods to enjoy back yard privacy.  Home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, large eat-in kitchen and diningroom/livingroom combo.  Finished recreation room in basement and rough-in for future bathroom.  Great location!  1 year home warranty too! For additional information or to schedule a viewing appointment, contact Chris Minion or Rita Minion.   Discover Calvert County.....where relaxation is a lifestyle, not a vacation. We consider Calvert County an excellent place to reside and would love to share with you our enthusiasm for the many neighborhoods that encompass it. Our local exper... 12/04/2009

WATERVIEWS FROM EVERY ROOM Location:  North Beach County:  Anne Arundel Body of Water: Chesapeake Bay Community:  North Beach Park List Price:  $699,000 Enjoy the Chesapeake Bay views from every room of the house!    Beautifully renovated Cape Cod style home.  All renovations are less than 5 years old.  This classic coastal charm home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, hardwood floors, crown molding, chair railing, top of the line appliances, & detached 2 car garage & plenty of parking.  Furniture is negotiable. Easy commute to DC/VA, Baltimore and Annapolis areas.  Convenient to boardwalk, restaurants & marine activities. For additional information or to schedule a personal tour, contact Rita Minion or Chris Minion. If you are looking for year round living on the water or a vacation home... 11/27/2009

Everyone is welcome to be a part of the  North Beach MD Holiday PARADE on Saturday December 5 at Noon from First Street to Seventh Street along Bay Avenue in North Beach. Parade Participants meet at St. Anthony's Parking Lot at 11AM and Parade Viewers can stake their spot before Noon that dayl You won't want to miss this North Beach MD Holiday Parade! Decorated Bicycles, Tricycles and Wagons, Marching Bands and Elected Officials, Teams, Cheerleaders and Youth Groups, Motorcycles and Old Cars, Pets, and Floats representing businesses, organizations and churches are all part of the Holiday festivites in this Southern Maryland  North Beach MD Holiday Parade in the Southern Maryland Twin Beaches. You register by contacting Pat Carpenter at 301 855 4265 or by emailing her at patcarpenter43@g... 11/09/2009

Explore the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection at the Southern Maryland Twin Beaches Wellness Expo In North Beach Md Nov 8 2009. It is hosted from Noon to Five PM at the Holland Point Civic Center located at 919 Walnut Avenue, which is Rt. 261, in North Beach MD 20714. The admission is free. If you attend the Southern Maryland Twin Beaches Wellness Expo In North Beach Md Nov 8 2009 you will discover topics ranging from Yoga, Zumba, Belly Dancing, Reiki, Acupuncture, Chiropractic Energy Healing, Nutrition, Massage, Weight Management to information on Healthy, Locally Grown Foods. You'll "Retrieve Golden Results with Cheryl Ritchie", RE/MAX 100, in your Southern Maryland Home Sale or Home Search. Visit www.GoldenResults.com for more information on Homes in Southern Maryland!     11/09/2009

NORTH BEACH FRIDAY NIGHT FARMERS' MARKET 5th Street between Chesapeake & Bay AvenuesNorth Beach, MD 20714(301) 855-6681 Directions: Route 4 to Route 260 East toward Chesapeake Beach/North Beach/Recreation Areas. Follow signs to North Beach. At end of Route 260, turn left at traffic signal and proceed approximately one mile to Market. Open seasonally May to October every Friday from 6 to 9 pm. Seasonal delights from local farms including vegetables, fruit, cut flowers, bedding plants, fresh herbs, seafood and baked goods. Free entertainment. Classic car enthusiasts will enjoy viewing some of the coolest vehicles in the area at the simultaneous Friday Night Cruise-Ins. Plenty of free parking at the public lots on either side of 5th Street at Chesapeake Avenue.     Southern Maryland Is A ... 08/19/2009

NORH BEACH CONCERT SERIES ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY Live on the Boardwalk!  Free summer concerts at the North Beach bandstand overlooking the Chesapeake Bay all summer long (bandstand is on Bay Avenue between 5th & 3rd Streets in North Beach).  Here's the 2009 July/August Schedule. Click each performers' name to visit their web site! July 11, 2009 - John Luskey (country) - 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. August 22, 2009 - Southern Maryland Swing Band - 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 8/22 -8/23 - Bayfest: 2nd Conspiracy, many more! - 12:00 noon - 6:30 p.m. both days  North Beach, MD is a charming waterfront village located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. There is a public beach on the bay, a seven-block long boardwalk, a fishing pier, cute shops, antique stores, beachy cafes, and a wide variety of... 07/03/2009

SOUTHERN MARYLAND - LOCAL FARMS IN CALVERT COUNTY Farms are disappearing in Calvert County, perhaps due to discouraging growing of the traditional cash crop of tobacco. Luckily, some family farms are hanging on and excellent fresh produce is still available  at produce stands and the North Beach farmer's market. Mid-County Just at the turnoff from Route 4 at Broome Island Road, is a popular mid-county produce stand. For 17 years, the Sunderland family has provided corn, tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, water melon, cantalope, onions, peaches grown on their own farm or locally by other southern Maryland farmers. The produce is picked daily, and by late afternoon it may be gone. North County, Owings The Lyons family farm, on Route 260 in Owings. Conveniently located on the ro... 06/26/2009

Another fabulous art opening at Artworks Gallery in North Beach Maryland Announcing the debut of a series of paintings by Suzanne Shelden and Deborah McClure featuring the best known barns and landscapes along Route 4Holiday Opening: Friday, July 3rd, 5-8pmOpening Continues: Saturday, July 4th, 1-5pm We cordially invite you to attend the Route 4 series HOLIDAY OPENING: Friday, July 3rd, 5-8pm, at Artworks at 7th in North Beach, Maryland. Come enjoy a night on the Bay, Calvert County style! Visit Artworks at 7th to see the Route 4 landscapes, take a walk along the boardwalk, check out the shops and the Farmers' Market, sit down for great food at the local restaurants, and cap it off with fireworks on the Bay!The celebration and opening continues Saturday, July 4th, when the artists will ... 06/25/2009

North Beach Had 4 properties close, the active inventory is 86 properties, that give use 21 months of inventory. Properties sold for 95% of their list price. Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format ZIP Code: 20714 North Beach, MD From: 05/01/2009 to 05/31/2009                Statistics generated on: 06/08/2009   ResidentialUnit SalesNumber of Bedrooms Active Listings   Time on Market Price Class 2 Or Less   3 4  or More   CondoCoop GroundRent Residential   CondoCoop GroundRent of Units Sold(No. of Units) Under $100,000 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 -30 Days 1 $100,000 - 149,999 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 31-60 Days 0 $150,000 - 199,999 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 61 - 90 Days 1 $200,000 - 249,999 2 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 91-120 Days 0 $250,000 - 299,999 0 0 0 0 0 28 2 0 Over 1... 06/14/2009

 From March to April the total number of Listings increased by 1, the good news is 8 properties went to Settlement in April compared to only 2 in March. For more market information, please contact me at 301-758-0391.  Jennifer Anderson, Exit 1 Stop Realty, 301-855-7867 Total NEW listings: 24 Total Properties Marked Contract: 4 Total Properties Marked Contingent Contract: 1 Total NEW pendings (Contracts + Contingents): 5   Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc.   ZIP Code Statistics - <$100K to >$5M Format ZIP Code: 20714 North Beach, MD From: 04/01/2009 to 04/30/2009                Statistics generated on: 05/06/2009   ResidentialUnit SalesNumber of Bedrooms Active Listings   Time on Market Price Class 2 Or Less   3 4  or More   CondoCoop GroundRent Residential   CondoCoop Grou... 05/26/2009

Vera's Beach Club! The Place To Be! Come by Sea m or Land! If you are  looking for great food  and a entertainment complex that remains dedicated to Vera Freeman's 1950s vision of paradise: Vera's White Sands Beach Club is a waterfront restuarant with Slips and dockage.  Enjoy the nightlife with a variety of bands on Friday and Saturday nights. This weekend features: Firday: April 24  Bad weather Boyz  & Sat April 25 Back Stage Pass   To see full entertainment schedule at:              Vera's  View:  Menu  Directions By Land & Sea Monique Hailer  Cell: (443)532-5407  Email: moniquehailer@mris.com Web: www.somdforsale.com   04/23/2009

While other areas in Calvert County saw a rise in pending sales and foreclosures Sales, North Beach and Chesapeake beach have been stable in pending sales, sold homes and foreclosures during the first quarter. Currently there are currently 144 active listings. 32 are new construction. 9 of the listings are pre-foreclosures, 4 are bank owned. Twelve homes went under contract.  Nine homes sold in March, 4 were foreclosures or pre-foreclosures. Home prices range from 129,900 for a 1 bedroom home built in 1930 to 975,000 for a large waterfront home. View homes for sale and information on vacation and second homes in the Chesapeake beach /North Beach area go to http://www.SouthernMarylandVacation.com/ Phyllis Minik, www.westernshoreblog.com 04/07/2009

There are currently 133 active listings. 27 are new construction. 10 of the listings are pre-foreclosures, 2 are bank owned. 2 homes were listed in December and 2 homes went under contract.  No homes sold in December. Home prices range from 129,900 for a 1 bedroom home built in 1930 to 975,000 for a large waterfront home. View homes for sale and information on vacation and second homes in the Chesapeake beach /North Beach area go to http://www.SouthernMarylandVacation.com/ Phyllis Minik   01/15/2009