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Although Zillow clearly dominates the market of providing free, instantaneous real estate valuation estimates, it is not the only source. A variety of websites now offer similar online valuation calculators that provide results simply by having a user enter a residential address. There has been and will continue to be significant debate about the accuracy of results from these online algorithm-based valuation calculators. While many of the criticisms leveled against Zillow and similar website... Read Full Post

All Maryland residents can now receive special discounts on compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs through a unique mark-down program sponsored by Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE). The program provides an automatic $1.50 markdown on each CFL bulb purchase and $3.00 on multipacks. The great thing is, there are no coupons, mail-in-rebate forms, etc., involved in receiving this discount. The discount is already reflected in the price of the bulbs paid at the register when purchased at participa... Read Full Post

If you are thinking about a remodeling project or are perhaps just considering ways to lower your electric bill by making small home improvements, all the available options now being discussed in the media may seem a bit overwhelming. As “green” issues have become recently in vogue many people are holding themselves out to be experts and the array of recommendations and sources of information have grown considerably. To help remodelers, whether homeowners or contractors, make decisions th... Read Full Post

Sometime in the next few weeks yet another website, www.RealUmbrella.com, will be launched with the goal to fundamentally change how residential real estate transactions are handled. “Stand by for The Real Estate Market shake up!”, claims the home page of RealUmbrella.com, under the motto “Be Your Own Agent” as it ambitiously touts itself as “The For Sale By Owner of the future - today.” At its core, the plan of the business model is to allow buyers, sellers and any other supporti... Read Full Post

What do these three “T” items have in common? In their respective markets, they have all been the source of severe overvaluations and bubble bursts because people failed to pay proper attention to the foundations and fundamentals of value in the hope to get-rich-quick. The so-called ‘tulip bulb craze’ that occurred in 16th Century Holland is one of the most vivid demonstrations of wild speculation run amok. When the “bulb bubble” burst it created a prolonged depression in Holland.... Read Full Post

Earlier this year, the National Association of Home Builders released a study of the life expectancy of house components covering the anticipated useful lifespan of just about every imaginable product, item or material that makes up a permanent fixture in a home. As just a small sampling of the results, here are some estimate lifespans of the following items: Dishwashers...9 years Electric water heaters...11 years Air conditioners...10-15 years Heat pumps...16 years Wood deck planks...20-25 y... Read Full Post

Recently in my real estate business I discovered and have had the opportunity to start using GotVoice, a very cool and easy to use technology that is a free service allowing users to get voice mail from any phone number sent directly to an email account. It is a worthwhile program for just about anyone that uses voice mail. Although there are other companies (including some telephone providers) that have similar programs, with GotVoice you can use any existing phone number with a voice mail a... Read Full Post

Some political junkies may be familiar with the phrase, “All politics is local.” This statement is attributed to the longtime U.S. Speaker of House “Tip” O’Neil during the 1980s. By this he meant that in a representative government like the United States the concerns of small towns and municipalities can have significant impact on policymaking on a national and even international scale. As applied to politics, this is probably a truism, except when it isn’t. There may be times whe... Read Full Post