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Lauren's Blog
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Tips to improve chances in challenging sellers' market
Thursday, February 11, 2021 Lauren BuntingLack of inventory, rising prices, multiple offers on new listings—all confirmation that we are indeed in a sellers’ market.
Finding a home
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Consumers protected from misconduct with Guaranty
Thursday, January 14, 2021 Lauren BuntingThe Maryland Real Estate Commission is the regulatory agency that provides licenses to real estate brokers and agents.
Its office receives 400-500 consumer complaints annually.
Maryland Real Estate Commission is a special funded entity in which license fees fund its operations as well as the Real Estate Guaranty Fund.
Maryland Realtors have provided
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Real estate year-end observations
Thursday, December 24, 2020 Lauren BuntingThis year has produced noticeable real estate market shifts, and in many cases the surge in real estate demand was fueled by the effects of covid-19.
Here on the shore, we saw increases in feeder market sales due to the consumers desire to have a safe, drive-to vacation spot.
Various other factors
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Record-setting low interest rates benefit home buyers
Thursday, December 10, 2020 Lauren BuntingThere are so many advantages to owning your own home, and even with prices on the rise, affording a new home may be easier than you think due to continued record-setting low interest
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Water quality test important for homes with private wells
Thursday, November 26, 2020 Lauren BuntingAn important inspection for homes, especially those on a private well water supply, is the water quality test.
This test usually covers bacterial, chemical and lead testing in our area. These water tests include results on: coliform, e-coli, nitrates/nitrites, sand, turbidity, pH, chlorine, iron and lead.
It is not common to find
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Home smoke alarm requirements
Thursday, November 05, 2020 Lauren BuntingHomeowners in the state of Maryland should be aware that as of Jan. 1, 2018, there were new residential smoke alarm requirements put into place, as per a bill passed by the Maryland
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Lenders seek verification of cash deposits in accounts
Thursday, October 15, 2020 Lauren BuntingCash may be king in a sellers’ market, but buyers need to understand that the same is not true with financial institutions.
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Housing prices increase, but appraisals lag behind
Thursday, September 24, 2020 Lauren BuntingWith “for sale” inventory limited in many price points, sellers may be able to ask more for their home.
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Housing market could be stronger
Thursday, September 17, 2020 Lauren BuntingThe National Association of Realtors Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, released a video report that dissects the latest homes sales numbers, talks about what could make the market even stronger, and forecasts what’s ahead
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OC area remains in higher demand with low inventory
Thursday, September 03, 2020 Lauren BuntingAt the beginning of the summer, we reported that demand has been very strong in the Ocean City market and surrounding areas since the end of April.
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Prepare for storms with insurance, actions
Thursday, August 06, 2020 Lauren BuntingWith the recent Tropical Storm Isaias impacting our coastal area, the importance of having a plan in place for storm events to protect your property is top of mind.
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New state legislation impacts HOA and condo associations
Thursday, July 23, 2020 Lauren BuntingBelow is the final summary of the 2020 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly on items that were passed and put into legislation affecting the real estate industry as it relates to
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Points to weigh prior to purchasing condo
Thursday, July 02, 2020 Lauren BuntingCondo sales have been soaring in the Ocean City and surrounding beach markets.
Purchasing a condominium differs
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Validity of contracts explained
Thursday, June 18, 2020 Lauren BuntingWith low inventory in our market, and a high buyer demand, we are experiencing many multiple-offer situations on properties.
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Differences between down payments and closing costs
Thursday, May 28, 2020 Lauren BuntingSome of the biggest misconceptions in buying a home are related to down payments and closing costs.
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Now great time to sell home, but take extra safety steps
Thursday, May 21, 2020 Lauren BuntingListing inventory is at record lows both around the country and in our local area, and buyer demand is coming back as the country eases restrictions, so it’s a great time to sell
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Home Warranties
Friday, October 04, 2019 Lauren BuntingA home warranty is different from a homeowner insurance policy. Homeowners insurance policies cover things that “might” happen, such as theft, fire, storms/floods. But, home warranty plans cover things that “will” happen, such as AC isn’t cooling house down,
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FHA Condo Rule Changes
Sunday, September 01, 2019 Lauren BuntingThe National Association of Realtors® sent out a press release last week commending the Department of Housing and Urban Development for finalizing new Federal Housing Administration condominium loan policies. The changes, many of which NAR has championed for over
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Transfer and Recordation Taxes in MD
Monday, July 01, 2019 Lauren BuntingCustomary in the state of Maryland is a split of transfer and recordation charges between a buyer and a seller. Section 14-104(b) of the Real Property Article, Annotated Code of Maryland provides that, unless otherwise negotiated in the contract
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Moving After Losing A Loved One
Tuesday, May 07, 2019 Lauren BuntingThis post is authored by Lucille Rosetti from thebereaved.org and is being added to my blog at her request to help provide information on how to proceed with moving after the loss of a loved one.
Moving After Losing a Loved One: When a beloved family member
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LWB Real Estate Report: Millennials
Thursday, July 19, 2018 Lauren BuntingReal Estate Report:
Millennials, age 18 to 35, are now the largest group of homebuyers, according to the National Association of Realtors. With this in mind, it’s important to know what it is they are looking for in a home.
At the top of the millennials’ wish
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LWB Real Estate Report: Water Test Lead
Thursday, June 28, 2018 Lauren BuntingReal Estate Report:
An important inspection for homes, especially those on a private well water supply, is the water quality test. This test usually covers bacterial, chemical and lead testing in our area. These water tests include results
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LWB Real Estate Report: Legislation Wrap Up
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 Lauren BuntingReal Estate Article:
Maryland REALTORS recently released a brief report on 2018 Maryland legislation key issues affecting the real estate industry. REALTORS throughout the state provide advocacy and participation through legislative Calls for Action during the
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LWB Real Estate Report: CMA vs. Appraisal
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Lauren BuntingReal Estate Report: CMA vs. Appraisal
To clear up any confusion, there is a definite difference between a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and an appraisal. Basically, they are two different levels of reports in determining
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LWB Real Estate Report: Smoke Alarm Law
Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Lauren BuntingReal Estate Report:
As of January 1, 2018, there are new residential smoke alarm requirements in the state of Maryland, as per a bill passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2013. Maryland REALTORS® has provided information to help
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LWB Real Estate Report: 2017 Year End Figures
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 Lauren BuntingMaryland REALTORS® released their Maryland Year End sales figures, and announced that in 2017, residential sales in Maryland climbed by 3.2 percent, or more than 2,500 homes across the state. Eighteen of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions posted gains in home
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LWB Real Estate Report: Ocean Pines & USDA Loan Issue
Thursday, January 25, 2018 Lauren BuntingAn important affordable loan product for the Ocean Pines area is in jeopardy—the 100% financing USDA loan. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Maryland/Delaware State Office has announced it is conducting a review of all areas under its
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LWB Real Estate Report: Importance of Home Scents
Friday, December 01, 2017 Lauren BuntingSmells are an important factor when listing your home for sale, right up there with the visual presentation of a home. Top smells to check for are: garbage, pet smells, mold, body odor and tobacco.
When
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LWB Real Estate Report: Contingencies
Thursday, June 01, 2017 Lauren BuntingContingencies Provide Buyers an Important Check and Balance
Purchasing a new home is normally the biggest investment you’ll ever make and once you’ve bought a home, it’s a decision you can’t easily reverse. Contracts of sale offer various contingency clauses
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LWB Real Estate Report: Rental Laws
Wednesday, March 01, 2017 Lauren BuntingDue to recent state legislation, all rental dwelling units in Maryland will be required to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed within the dwelling on every level, including the basement, on or after April 1, 2018. However, like lead
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LWB Real Estate Report: Realtor Ethics
Wednesday, February 01, 2017 Lauren BuntingMost real estate agents are Realtors®, which means they are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). By belonging to NAR, all member Realtors are bound by NAR’s Code of Ethics. But beyond the ethics code, NAR developed
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The Ins and Outs of a Short Sale
Thursday, April 07, 2011 Lauren BuntingReal Estate Report: The Ins and Outs of a Short Sale
You've probably heard the term "short sale" by now—a short sale is the phrase used when a homeowner is selling their home, but the list price and/or sale price is less than what is owed on
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Recent Posts
- Cost effective home staging tips
- Tips to improve chances in challenging sellers' market
- Consumers protected from misconduct with Guaranty
- Real estate year-end observations
- Record-setting low interest rates benefit home buyers
- Water quality test important for homes with private wells
- Home smoke alarm requirements
- Lenders seek verification of cash deposits in accounts
- Housing prices increase, but appraisals lag behind
- Housing market could be stronger
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