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Upper Marlboro, MD Real Estate News

By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Angie Houtz was born in Charles County, MD in 1974.  She spent her entire life in Southern Maryland and graduated as the salutatorian from McDonough High School in Waldorf, MD.  Angie attended UMBC on a full scholarship and graduated with a degree in english in 1996.  Angie began working for the Office of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, MD as an intern and then eventually graduated to a full-time job as a navy analyst.  She was evenutally placed at the Pentagon.  Angie was killed instantly in a conference room in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. I met Angie during orientation for college in 1992.  She was my room-mate for all four years of college and forever my best friend.  We shared many special times.  The month before she died we had actually gone to Jamaica together to celebrat...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Marlboro Ridge is Upper Marlboro's premier, luxury equestrian community featuring homes built by Toll Brothers.    Planned amenities for Marlboro Ridge include a club-house, outdoor swimming pool, exercise facility, tennis courts, walking & biking trails, community parks, ballfields, and playgrounds, and an equestrian center.  Marlboro Ridge boasts 4 different neighborhoods with housing styles to suit just about every buyer.  Available are luxury townhomes, modest single family homes, and estate homes.   The Meadws at Marlboro Ridge - Townhomes 4 floor-plans available Base prices from $368,995 - $402,995 Quick delivery homes available - Bradbury Georgian & Bradbury Williamsburg floor-plans The Glen at Marlboro Ridge - Single Family Homes 5 floor- plans available Base prices from $499,9...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Oak Creek is Prince George's County premier gated luxury home community.   This beautiful community located in Upper Marlboro, MD features 24 hour guard gated access on the main gate and a full-time concierge.  Located on the property is the fully restored Bowieville Mansion.   The hallmark of Oak Creek is the private, exclusive 18 hole golf course that is woven throughout the community. The homes are artfully arranged along the course so as not to encroach on play. Planned amenities for Oak Creek include a club-house for the golf course, a swim & tennis facility for the residents, park, walking & biking trails, and a shuttle to the Morgan Boulevard metro station.  Oak Creek boasts many different builders and many housing styles to suit just about every buyer.  Available are luxury town...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Last week my mother, aunt, and I went to see the Pentagon Memorial to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Those of you who know me know that 9/11 was intensely personal for me because I lost my best friend, Angie Houtz that day.  Seeing her name on one of the benches was intensely jolting, even though I knew it would be there. The Pentagon Memorial consists of benches organized by year of birth.  Each person who died at the site has a bench with a reflecting pool beneath it.  We went in the late evening but I can only imagine how gorgeous it would be at night when the benches are lit. If you are in the DC area, be sure to visit the Pentagon Memorial.  It's an important reminder of the horror the nation endured almost 8 years ago.         To register for the Angie Houtz Me...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
If you are in need of carpet cleaning, call Rashaud Wayns from Excellent Carpet Cleaning. Rashaud cleaned my carpet and ceramic tile last week.  He was quick and very considerate of the people who were in the home at the time.  He was informed that my mother had allergies and he was very considerate about minimizing the smell of the chemicals in the home. Excellent Carpet Cleaning offers many services including: Maid Cleaning Services Carpet Sales & Installation Upholstery Cleaning Tile & Grout Cleaning & Sealing Oriental Rug Cleaning & Repair Light Hauling Pet Odor Elimination Wood Floor Cleaning & Resurfacing Deck & Fence Cleaning 24 Hour Flood Service Call Rashaud today!  301-270-4001 www.excellentcarpetcleaning.net
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
We hear the term first-time home buyer a lot.   However, I gets lots of question as to who exactly counts as a first-time home buyer. Federally To qualify for the 2009 first time home buyer $8000 tax credit a person must not have had any ownership interest in a home the three years previous to the DAY of the 2009 sale.  This means that if you had owned a home in the past but sold it 5 years ago, you would qualify as a first-time home buyer. If you own rental property you may still qualify if you have not owned a property considered to be your principal residence in the preceeding 3 years. If you have never owned a home but your spouse does and you decide to buy a home in 2009 you may still not qualify as a first-time home buyer for the purposes of the tax credit since the IRS has stated...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
I get lots of questions from buyers about how this $8000 tax credit program works: Any home over $80,000 qualifies for the full tax credit. Homes under $80,000 qualify for a credit of 10% of the purchase price (E.G. $65,000 home qualifies for a $6500 tax credit). To qualify for the credit the purchaser must be a first-time home buyer. Any single person who makes less than $75,000/per year ($150,000 for a married couple) qualifies for the full credit.  The credit phases out at higher income levels. The tax credit does not need to be repaid provided the buyer does not sell the home within 3 years. Though there was much talk, this tax credit cannot currently be used as a downpayment. The 2009 $8000 tax credit expires on December 1, 2009. To qualify for the credit the real estate transactio...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
There are many wonderful places in Prince George's County Maryland to watch July 4th fireworks.  University of Maryland - College Park Six Flags America - Mitchellville Allen Pond Park - Bowie Prince George's County Stadium - Bowie Buddy Attick Park - Greenbelt The National Harbor in Fort Washington will have a festival and fireworks on Friday, July 3, 2009. Have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend!  
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Many of you know that I sit on the Board of Directors of a charity that is very near and dear to my heart, the Angie Houtz Memorial Fund. Almost 8 years ago my best friend Angie was killed in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon.  The emotions I felt that day and in the subsequent hours, days, weeks, months, and now years remain some of the most painful ones I have ever experienced.   Angie and I had been friends since the first day of college in 1992.  She travelled with me to Jamaica several times and was the maid of honor in my wedding in 1998.  Her absence in my life is still felt daily. After her death, we started a scholarship in her honor.  This scholarship honors students who have shown a commitment to community service and academic excellence.  To date, we have awarded $27,000 ...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Today was the last day of school for Prince George's County Public Schools.  The Summer vacation has officially begun.  Let's remember that with kids on holiday there will be more children playing near the roads in our neighborhoods all day.  Be on the look-out for them as we are driving through the county.  Let's make sure that this is a safe, happy, and fun summer for PG County kids.
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Many sellers have a hard time divorcing themselves from their homes when they put them on the market.  It's critical for the success of the transaction that the seller no longer sees the house as their home but instead sees it as a business deal. I have heard several stories lately of people who have their homes listed and have received good offers but have turned them down.  When asked why, they say things about not being sure the buyer could afford the home, or they were "insulted" by the offer. As a seller i its important to remember that many times the first offer is the best offer.  This is especially true in this market.  Even if an offer seems unreasonable initially, it is better to counter and attempt to negotiate rather than reject it out-right.  The buyer does not care that yo...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
The third, annual Angie Houtz Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Friday September 18, 2009 at the beautiful Oak Creek Golf Club in Upper Marlboro, MD.  This is your opportunity to experience this exclusive, member's only golf course while helping a worthy cause and having tons of fun. Four-person scramble will be begin at 1:00Pm. Fee:  $125 per person ($120 if registered before 8/15/2009)         $480 per foursome Fee includes box lunch, dinner, awards reception, drinks, and snacks.  Also includes contests and prizes.  As a special bonus, a 1 year subscription to Golf Digest will be included for anyone who registers online. Sponsorships are available and can be tailored to meet the needs of individual companies and budgets.  Prizes for goody bags and auction items are also needed....
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Built around 1745, Belair Mansion was the home to Govenor Ogle.  It was also the location of Maryland's first thoroughbred racehorses.  The mansion has been restored and enlarged over the years.   Located at 12207 Tulip Grove Dr, Bowie, MD it is very close to Rts 50, 450, & 301 and is just minutes from Bowie Town Center.  Self-guided tours are free of charge with only donations requested and are available Tuesday - Sunday from 12-4pm.
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Looking for a fun day trip from DC?  Check out the North Beach area in Calvert County, MD.   Located just 30 minutes South of the DC beltway North Beach provides a great alternatives to the Eastern Shore. In North Beach there is a public beach, a boardwalk, antique shops and restaurants. If you are a beach lover North Beach also provides an opportunity to own beach real estate while still being able to make the daily commute to the greater Washington, DC area.  North Beach provides real estate options ranging from under $100,000 to over $1 million.   Directions: From the Beltway take exit 11A/Rt 4 South into Calvert County.  Turn right onto RT 260 which dead-ends at Chesapeake Beach.  Turn left at that light to continue into North Beach. 
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
Many people avoid short-sales because they are frustrating.  This means that there is somewhat of a feeding frenzy around bank-owned properties.  Its important to know that these can be difficult transactions as well and make sure the buyer is prepared to handle it.   Here are some of the things that are important to know in a foreclosure transaction. Try to see the property as soon as it gets on the market because the more desirable properties may end up with multiple offers. Some banks will not review the offers right away but will wait for the home to be on the market for a few days. Make your highest and best offer because many banks will not accept escalation clauses. Once the offer is accepted banks do not like to make changes and will make it very difficult (trust me, I learned t...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
I was diagnosed with MS in 2006. It all started because I kept getting dizzy when I would exercise. The doctors ran every test in the book and came back with a possible diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. To say I was floored is putting it lightly. That had never even crossed my mind. Since then we have done several more tests and the doctors are in pretty good agreement that this is what I have. I am one of the lucky ones. The biggest impacts on my life are a chronic fatigue (which can be quite debilitating) and occasional vertigo and dizziness. I am grateful for how I feel so far. However, I do live with the notion that my level of functioning can change at any time. There are many mornings when I wake up and think to myself before I get out of bed "Is this the day that my legs won't wor...
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By David & Lisa Webber, www.webberteam.com
(RE/MAX Executive)
It's interesting to me that the news media still continues to imply that foreclosures are found everywhere and they make it seem that you can buy homes for pennies on the dollar. It sure isn't happening here.  Prices have come down substantially compared to 2005/2006 but only in some areas.  It realy depends upon where the majority of the foreclosures and short sales are. The neighborhoods in Maryland where we are seeing most of this are the newer neighborhoods with large colonials.  For example, the neighborhood of Perrywood in Upper Marlboro.  These homes were built just before and during the "boom years" and many of them were purchased with adjustable rate mortgages that are ballooning and they are unable to refinance their homes in this market.  In past years, purchasers were able t...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
There has been a great deal of talk about the new plans to help home-owners in trouble with their mortgage.  It seems unfair to the millions of us who have been paying our mortgages on time every month.  I've heard several people say that they are going to stop paying their mortgage just so they can get their payments reduced too. This is a short-sighted approach.  If your mortgage is unbearable then you need to speak to your lender.  However, if you are managing your mortgage but want a change on principle, please consider the repercussions. If you stop paying your mortgage it will have a negative effect on your credit score.  These days credit is even more important than ever.  This will hamper your ability to apply for new credit, buy a car, and in some cases get a job. The long-term...
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By Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh, A doctor who makes house calls.
(Century 21 New Millennium)
You've heard that this is a great time to buy a house.  There is lots of inventory, prices have come down, and mortgage rates are low, so you are ready to jump in.   Step 1 Contact a mortgage broker.  It is important that this be the first step because a good mortgage broker will go over your employment and income history and your credit to help determine what price range you qualify for.  It is important to be truthful with your mortgage broker and provide all the information they need in a timely manner to speed the process along. Many people wonder why they can't start looking for a house and THEN call the mortgage broker.  There are a few reasons: Your mortgage broker helps determine the price range and payment that you are comfortable paying and you can reasonably qualify for.  The...
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