Everyone has been talking about how "bad" the market is-but from the little bit of research I did and the amount of business that is happening-I would really have to disagree-at least from the buyer's side of things.

In Harford County as of today there are 1,828 active listings. These listings range in price from $8900 (Mobile home) to $2.3M (7 bedroom luxury single family). In the last 30 days 788 listings have been SOLD or are under contract!

Whether you need a 1 bedroom or 7 bedroom-1 bath or 5-Family room or basement-small lot or acreage-There is a wide variety of options. To my knowledge, there has NEVER been this much inventory on the market at a time when the interest rates have been so low to allow buyers, especially first time home buyers, the opportunity to purchase.

I had lunch with one of my lenders yesterday and I got a list of his current rates.

30 conventional: 6.0% 0 points-------15 year conv 5.625% 0 ponts

JUMBO 30 year-6.25% 0 points--------15 year 5.875 0 points

100% financing still available or do an 80/20 combo and pay no PMI.

I was shocked when he told me that he can get most products with a credit score as low as 500 and accept up to 6% seller help.

RENTERS-Think you can't afford a home of your own? If your lease is up sometime this year-contact a local Realtor-working with the right Realtor and Mortgage company, you will be amazed at how easy it can be to get into your own home!

MOVE-UP or DOWNSIZING-Need a larger home to accomodate a growing family. It will be easy to find the home of your dreams to make that move! Are you worried that you can't sell your current home to make the move? Call a local professional that specializes in your area. Choose a Realtor that will give you a free Neighborhood Market Report and a free complete home evaluation. Work with a Realtor that GUARANTEES his/her services-these will insure that you CAN GET YOUR HOUSE SOLD, so you can move to the home of your dreams.

With the inventory on the market and interest rates holding-there has never been a better time to think about home ownership. If the thought of owning your own home has even crossed your mind-you need to call a professional today and see what it would take to bring that thought to reality!

For any Real Estate information or questions on buying or selling a home in Harford County contact:

Stephen Luckett-Fairfax Realty

Selling Maryland 1 house at a time!

When I opened my new Real Estate website about 2 months ago, I was told by some friends that I needed to have a newsletter, forum, or blog. I understood the newsletter, which I do offer, and I even understood the forums as I had been a member of several "bulletin boards", but when it came to blogging, I was clueless.

When I started researching what a blog was and how to do it, is when I came across the Active Rain Community. What an awesome opportunity! I got lost in all the great information that was being disseminated from very knowledgable Real Estate Professionals. Although I have been around the Real Estate Industry for about 25 years, I am not so egotistical to think that I know everything. This is a great website for anyone involved in any facet of the Real Estate Industry.

Active Rain then lead me to Localism. I loved this forum as it was an opportunity to write about my passion-Real Estate. I could write about Local communities like Dundalk, Maryland or Essex, Maryland. These were just fun stories that were interesting to research and write.

Localism also allowed me the opportunity to write information that is useful to the consumer. I could write about local schools, Real estate market reports, or just great stories about local businesses. These sites then lead me to Real Estate Webmasters and My Wordpress Blog.

REW allows me the opportunity to expand my communications deeper into the Real Estate Industry and I can even post my FAVORITE LISTINGS! In case you haven't guessed, I am very passionate about my career. When I am not in the field working with clients-I LOVE TALKING REAL ESTATE.

So why did I start a 3rd blog-you would think I could talk enough in two, wouldn't you? I love my Wordpress blog because it is not as real estate oriented. I can talk about so many other subjects that interest me or write a nice general motivational piece or basically just ramble-which I hope I am not doing here.

Summing up-IF you haven't figured it out yet-I LOVE TO BLOG! I hope you will return and read some more of my ramblings over time. I hope you will remember that if you would like any Real Estate information or have questions on buying or selling a home in Baltimore County contact:

Stephen Luckett-Fairfax Realty

Selling Maryland 1 house at a time!

Proud supporter of GTS Foundation!

I personally believe that this is long overdue in the State, even though I am sure that a lot of investors would think otherwise. As a Realtor, and a transplanted Hoosier, Ground rent was foreign to me when I moved to Baltimore County. Although I soon found that it was a household phrase here.

Ground leases have been around in Baltimore for centuries and I believe have been fought against about the same amount of time. Several Baltimore residents have been evicted from their home due to unpaid ground rent-some as little as $30! This is a very arcane system and I, for one, am glad to see that someone is finally getting something done about it.

The Maryland State Legislature is currently writing new legislation that could remove all ground leases within a decade. I am of the belief that new legislation would force the redemption of current ground rent with the transfer of property. They could also add to the bill that ground rent must be redeemed with any refinance of the property.

I applaud the legislature for stepping up to the plate on this. I would like to hear something from investors that own several properties and collect ground rent. How is this going to affect your business? Will this help or hurt the overall economy of the State? I would enjoy your opinions.

Stephen Luckett-Fairfax Realty

Selling Maryland 1 house at a time!

Six Strategies

In this report, we outline the six most common mistakes homeowners make when moving to a larger home. Knowledge of these six mistakes, and the strategies to overcome them, will help you make informed choices before you put your existing home on the market.

1. Rose-colored glasses

Most of us dream of improving our lifestyle and moving to a larger home. The problem is that there's sometimes a discrepancy between our hearts and our bank accounts. You drive by a home that you fall in love with only to find that it's already sold or that its more than what you are willing to pay. Most homeowners get caught in this hit or miss strategy of house hunting when there's a much easier way of going about the process. For example, find out if your agent offers a Buyer Profile System or House-hunting Service, which takes the guesswork away and helps to put you in the home of your dreams. This type of program will cross-match your criteria with ALL available homes on the market and supply you with printed information on an ongoing basis. A program like this helps homeowners take off their rose-colored glasses and, affordably, move into the home of their dreams.

2. Failing to make necessary improvements

If you want to get the best price for the home you're selling, there will certainly be things you can do to enhance it in a prospective buyer's eyes. These fix-ups don't necessarily have to be expensive. But even if you do have to make a minor investment, it will often come back to you tenfold in the price you are able to get when you sell. It's very important that these improvements be made before you put your home on the market. If cash is tight, investigate an equity loan that you can repay on closing.

3. Not selling first

You should plan to sell before you buy. This way you will not find yourself at a disadvantage at the negotiating table, feeling pressured to accept an offer that is below-market value because you have to meet a purchase deadline. If you've already sold your home, you can buy your next one with no strings attached. If you do get a tempting offer on your home but haven't made significant headway on finding your next home, you might want to put in a contingency clause in the sale contract which gives you a reasonable time to find a home to buy. If the market is slow and you find your home is not selling as quickly as you anticipated, another option could be renting your home and putting it up on the market later - particularly if you are selling a smaller, starter home. You'll have to investigate the tax rules if you choose this latter option. Better still, find a way to eliminate this situation altogether by getting your agent to guarantee the sale of your present home (see point number 5 below).

4. Failing to get a pre-approved mortgage

Pre-approval is a very simple process that many homeowners fail to take advantage of. While it doesn't cost or obligate you to anything, pre-approval gives you a significant advantage when you put an offer on the home you want to purchase because you know exactly how much house you can afford, and you already have the green light from your lending institution. With a pre-approved mortgage, your offer will be viewed far more favorably by a seller - sometimes even if it's a little lower than another offer that's contingent on financing. Don't fail to take this important step.

5. Getting caught in the Real Estate Catch 22

Your biggest dilemma when buying and selling is deciding which to do first. Point number 3 above advises you to sell first. However there are ways to eliminate this dilemma altogether. Some agents offer a Guaranteed Sale Trade-Up Program that actually takes the problem away from you entirely by guaranteeing the sale of your present home before you take possession of your next one. If you find a home you wish to purchase and have not sold your current home yet, they will buy your home from you themselves so you can make your move free of stress and worry.

6. Failing to coordinate closings

With two major transactions to coordinate together with all the people involved such as mortgage experts, appraisers, lawyers, loan officers, title company representatives, home inspectors or pest inspectors the chances of mix-ups and miscommunication go up dramatically. To avoid a logistical nightmare ensure you work closely with your agent.

For any Real Estate information or questions on buying or selling a home in Baltimore County contact:

Stephen Luckett-Fairfax Realty

Selling Maryland 1 house at a time!

This million-seller book has endorsements from "Dear Abby" ("everyone should read this book"); Dr. Norman Vincent Peale ("helps millions of alcoholics"); and Melody Beattie, author of 'Codependent No More' (Melody says: "Getting Them Sober is the best book for the family of the still-drinking alcoholic").

HUNDREDS of effective suggestions for sobriety and recovery

If the family of the alcoholic changes his/her behavior as outlined in this book, the alcoholic has an 80% percent better chance to get sober.

Toby Rice Drews is the author of nine recovery books and earned her Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins. A former college professor of counseling and psychology, Ms. Drews grew up in an alcoholic family, and has worked in the field of addictions for over 30 years.

She has travelled extensively giving speeches, lectures, and seminars to train counselors in properly counseling families of alcoholics. Although she no longer does much travelling, her time is full with one-on-one counseling, writing, training professionals and the daily operstion of this outstanding Foundation.

The "Getting Them Sober" television series (which is also a video that is freely distributed by the nonprofit "Getting Them Sober" Foundation) is also available free of charge to all TV stations. Both the television format and the video version are also available in closed-captioning for the hearing impaired.

46% of American families have alcoholism. The Getting Them Sober Foundation's mission is to produce and distribute FREE television programs guiding these families to immediate local help; and to produce and distribute FREE video versions for graduate and professional schools in nursing, medicine, law, and social work -- to teach helping professionals effective methods to aid these families. We will also create and distribute free Spanish versions of these shows for Hispanic communities.

The programs will show the true nature of the crazy-making that happens in alcoholic families -- crazy-making that the rest of the world does not see or understand -- and will provide practical solutions and immediate help for these families. (Of course, no 12-Step tradition will be violated. Anonymity will be respected.)

"www.GettingThemSober.com is one of the best websites on... recovery... out of hundreds of websites on that issue on the internet" - America Online (from the Jan/Feb issue of AOL's magazine, http://www.health.com/)

The Getting Them Sober Forum is the best place to meet and talk with others struggling through many of the same situations. Ms Drews works on the forum daily and offers much helpful insight and advice from her many years of counseling.

The Foundation regularly takes both tax deductible monetary and merchandise donations. The merchandise is handled either through ebay sales or the exclusive donation and sales location at CNS Trading Company in Rosedale, 21237, and the NEW Mini-Mall inEssex, Maryalnd, 21221. Merchandise, Large or Small, can be scheduled for pickup anywhere in the Greater Baltimore and surrounding areas. Call 410-243-8352 for more information or to schedule pickup.

"We need contributions to help us spread our message." States Ms Drews. Just think -- more than 100 MILLION AMERICANS need the knowledge this Foundation can provide. Battered children and battered wives, anyone living with the craziness and emotional hurts of family alcoholism, those who have lost their homes because of a partner's untreated addiction to alcohol -- millions suffering daily torments are desperate for help, yet few know where to turn.

The Getting Them Sober Foundation has answers for these sufferers. Your contribution -- whether it is $25 or $25,000 -- will greatly help these families. They need not stay stuck feeling helpless and hopeless. Through the Foundation's programs, men, women, and children everywhere can discover the help available right at home in their own areas, and lives can be turned around and families made whole.

My background working as a Police Officer put me in many situations where I saw the devastating effects on the families of alcoholics. Now as a Realtor in Baltimore, I have the opportunity to help support this great Foundation. Working both as a volunteer, as needed, and donateing 10% of referred commissions to this very worthy cause.

There are several ways that you can aid the Getting Them Sober Foundation:

Direct Monetary Donation Through the website or mail

Merchandise Donation-all types of merchandise including good useable furniture can be made at the CnS Trading Company at 8430 Philadelphia Rd, Rosedale, 21237 or the New Essex Location at 138 Back River Neck Rd 21221(Limited Hours-call 410-391-1111

Buy books in quantity-If you have a store or other outlet you may buy at a deep discount for resale

If you are, or know, someone that is thinking of selling their home or wants to buy a new home-you may contact me and if they untilize my services, I will donate 10% of my commission directly to the Getting Them Sober Foundation.

Please help me in supporting the efforts of the Getting Them Sober Foundation. They are struggling to help as many of the needy families as they can. It has become quite expensive to send out all of the information that gets requested on a daily basis-So any help that you can offer is totally tax deductible and, of course, greatly appreciated by the Foundation and those families that you help!

Stephen Luckett-Fairfax Realty

LuckNet Real Estate Group.com

I have always been a very service oriented person, not just great client service but service to community. I have always felt that no matter what level of life you are at, there are others that need a helping hand.

Today in Essex at 138 Back River Neck Rd, 21221. I found the Grand Opening of the new CnS Trading Company & Mini Mall. My first thought was what a great new flea market for the Essex Community, but as I delved deeper into this new market, I found much, much more.

Steve McBride & his wife Carol, bought the fledging flea market in January of this year. They made several changes to the layout and organization of the market, as well as the auction that it housed.

In the past few months the market has grown much faster than anticipated-now housing 72 booths, fully rented AND with a long waiting list.

Table space is available on the weekends for those individuals that wish to set up for one or two days. There will also be space available outside the market from May to October.

CnS Trading Company and Mini-Mall, along with CnS Trading Company in Rosedale, is the EXCLUSIVE sales location for all donated items and furniture from the Getting Them Sober Foundation. Steve has a crew that will pick up larger donations, like furniture, but smaller donations can be dropped off at the Rosedale location at 8430 Philadelphia Rd., 21237.

Getting Them Sober Foundation is a WORLD-WIDE organization that aids the families of alcoholics. The Foundation is the Brainchild of Toby Rice Drews who authored the Million Seller "Getting Them Sober" series of books. Money raised from the sales of the donated items is directed to the Foundation for book, tape, and training materials for Health-care Professionals around the world.

When I asked Steve why he decided to be involved with this organization, he said, " I have always been involved in some type of community service. This organization just seemed a natural fit", since Steve & Carol also own the 12 and 12 shop which carries items for Alcoholics Anonymous also located at 8430 Philadelphia Rd in Rosedale.

Steve works regularly with local organizations as well. Table space is reserved for organizations that wish to have fund raising events. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cheer-leading Groups, Relay for Life Teams all benefit from special days set aside for the fund raising efforts of these organizations.

There are 35 tables available each weekend day. Tables are just $5 and all money collected will be donated directly to the organization. If you have a non-profit group or are affiliated with an organization that regularly needs to raise money, contact Anna at the market at 410-391-1111. She can give you all of the information and get your day scheduled, but I suggest you call quickly to get scheduled as they are receiving new requests on a daily basis!

I was thrilled to find such a place with all of the different items-both old and new-available for sale at such great prices and with such nice people. But finding a small business that thrives on returning to community, I am doubly excited.

Take a few minutes to check out this NEW location at 138 Back River Neck Rd in Essex, 21221. I truly believe you will be as happy as I to have found it!

Stephen Luckett-Fairfax Realty

LuckNet Real Estate Group.com

You find that perfect beautiful new home for your family and put in an offer through your buyers' agent. Immediately, besides your buyers agent, the sellers' agent, your loan officer, the loan processor, the loan underwriter, the title agent, the research assistant, and the closing agent begin working to insure that you have a smooth transition into your new home.

While all of these people are diligently working behind the scenes, your buyers' agent is scheduling the necessary people to inspect your new home. These include the home inspector, the pest inspector, and the insurance inspector for your home-owners insurance company. These are the basics but you may have other inspectors or even contractors that may need scheduled according to the terms of your purchase agreement.

Next the appraiser comes to measure and take pictures to put together a very detailed report of your property and the neighborhood. The appraiser will submit the report to the mortgage company with a projection of the price that this is the fair market price it will likely sell for. If the sellers' and buyers' agents have done their counseling properly this number should be equal to or greater than the contractual offer.

At this point, NO LESS THAN 12 people have been involved in helping you to make your dream a reality. The entire process normally occurs within 30-45 days of your offer submission.

Closing day arrives and everyone is extremely excited, because with everyone working together, you now have the keys to your first, new dream home! Each individual that has worked so hard for you the last 30-45 days is now receiving their reward-A PAYCHECK! With keys in hand, you are now thinking of moving and all that has to be done-but because of your purchase of that one home-please understand that your contribution to the economic system did not stop there.

That entire army of people that have had a hand in the home buying process is now ready to pay their bills and head to the grocery. I will keep the example simple-but I am sure you will get the idea:

-Everyone buys some canned green beans

-the Grocer runs low on Green Beans so he orders more canned green beans

-When the distributor gets the order for green beans, he must order more from the manufacturer

-To fill the order, the manufacture must order more metal cans from his supplier and of course green beans from the farmer

-The farmer sees that his green beans are selling well and he needs more space, so he goes to his Realtor to buy more land!

AND the entire process begins again! Thousands of people across this Nation have been affected and are more secure in their jobs because you made the wise decision to buy your first home.

Thank you for supporting your family, your neighborhood, your State, and the Nation!

If you are ready to seach for your first home in Eastern Baltimore County, Maryland-Give me a call! I would be proud to serve you in your search for a great new home in Dundalk, Sparrows Point, Essex, Middle River, Nottingham, White Marsh, Rosedale, or Parkville!

Stephen Luckett-Fairfax Realty

LuckNet Real Estate Group.com

Mr Crews, 56, is an army veteran photographer that was stationed in Okinawa 1969-1971. The remaining paragraphs of his bio briefly outline his travels and various jobs-ending with his needs and wants in his current situation. "I need a modern computer, an editor for my writing, a financial backer for my photography efforts, and a sweet, young, 40 something year old woman to love and admire and have and hold and enjoy a great time with while living out the rest of our lives to the fullest." says David

What intrigued me about him more is his outstanding photography. He works his way around Dundalk, as well as other towns in Baltimore County, finding those perfect settings to photograph daily life. Some of his photographic work is displayed here but to see some of his best work visit his blogs:

Blue Skies Over Dundalk Maryland, David R Crews Ramblings + Photos, which includes pics & stories about Sparrows Point, 21219, or you can read his stories from Okinawa 1970-71 No matter what information you want, passion is the underlying motivation in each of his posts.

I found Mr Crews when researching the history of Dundalk. Then with further thought, my readers look to me for current information-What is life like in Dundalk? What can I expect while living in Dundalk? This type of question can be far better answered through short stories and pictures from a native that truly loves his home town of Dundalk, Maryland.

I believe in relying on the expert in any particular area to get the best information. Mr Crews has great information, laid out in an interesting format with some beautiful and poignant photos.

If you want Housing types, availability, costs, or any other information concerning homes for sale in Dundalk, Sparrows Point, or Eastern Baltimore County-I am the expert and will do everything it takes to put you in your first or new home!

All photos published with permission-David R Crews ,Photograper, Dundalk

Stephen Luckett-Fairfax Realty

LuckNet Real Estate Group.com

Essex was originally a 10 block area that encompassed the land between Mace & Marlyn Avenues. It grew quickly with the promotional materials that were utilized by the Taylor Land Co. to entice the move from the city.

The first General Store was built at the corner of Eastern and Mace Avenue by Henry Guttenberger in 1910. This site is currently the location of the Squirrels Nest Antiques. In the following few years the Taylor Land Company donated land for some churches and the fire department which opened its location in 1921-now the site of the Essex Museum.

Essex maintained its pace of growth until 1957 when a fire destroyed a block of businesses along Eastern Avenue. The 10 alarm blaze and ensuing half-million dollars in damage slowed traffic to the downtown area. During the lengthy reconstruction, many past customers found what they considered better shopping locations at the at the newer shopping centers being built close to town.

Two major companies directly impacted the quick growth of the Essex area. Glenn L. Martin Company and Eastern Rolling Mill, Martin being the largest employer that peaked at 53,000 employees during WW II. The Martin property is now owned and operated by Lockheed Martin.

Eastern Rolling Mill, opening in 1919, produced carbon sheet steel. The company lasted to several mergers and acquisitions through the years until it shut down in the late 1990's.

Essex is now going through a major revitalization-including new streets, curbs, and garden like medians. Many neighborhoods have begun to upgrade their communities. There are several developments that have begun, especially along waterfront areas and revitalization areas.

The 2000 census shows a population of 39,078 with 16,997 housing units. There are 689 business establishments with an employee base of 7349.

According to Sperlings Best Places Average apartment rent is $950 with 41.5 % of population renting. The average home price being $219,200 with 51.4% of population owning. There is a 7% vacancy rate.

Stephen Luckett-Fairfax Realty

Lucknet Real Estate Group.com