Towson home sale statistics for September 2010 fared much better than most of Baltimore County, according to data released by MRIS, the Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc over September 2009. Focusing specifically on the 21204 zip code, which includes Towson, Ruxton, West Towson, and the Riderwood area, the numbers are very positive, while the majority [...]
Baltimore was named #6 in the American Institute for Economic Research's rankings of metro area colleges out of a pool of 222 areas of 15,000 students or more. Baltimore County colleges include Towson University in Towson, Stevenson University in Stevenson, MD, University of Baltimore, Baltimore County in the Catonsville area, plus in the city there [...]
Why do some houses sell while others stay on the market? A very good question. The answer is rather simple: price & condition. In a Towson neighborhood where there could be 3 houses that have been on the market for months, a new one comes on. There is a flurry of activity, and the house [...]
The Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) will be eliminated, thanks to a bill signed into law by President Obama. HVCC was enacted in 2009, and has been a big issue in the appraisal battle many home sales have been experiencing. In June last year, Tasha Linton and I wrote about how HVCC Could Negatively [...]
Mortgage rates drop very low -- below 5% -- as international money comes into the United States. The US bonds are seen as a safe haven in light of the financial troubles in Europe, and this is having a nice result in our country. The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that interest rates were [...]
A recent statement by John Paulson of Paulson & Co, Inc. shows that housing prices are expected to rise 3-5% in 2010. CNBC published an article with quotes from the group's owner, who tracks home prices in California, and notes that what happens in the state tends to trend about six months later in the [...]
January and February 2010 has shown some recovery and growth over last year at the same time for Towson home sales. 21204 houses that settled had prices up $24,000. Under contract, however, was down around $106,500 (23%). I attribute much of that drop in February due to the two blizzards. Half as many new listings [...]
Reviewing the 21204 zip code sales, contracts and listings for December of '08-December of '09, there are many interesting variations throughout the year. The good part for the owners of Towson homes in the $500,000 and higher range, is that finally these seem to be selling! 11 properties in December went under contract [...]
When the Homebuyer Tax Credit was extended to include long-time homeowners buying new houses and getting a $6,500 credit, a whole new group of questions came into play. Unfortunately for a few clients of mine (and I am sure many others out there), the answers were not what they were hoping. One person owns a [...]
As I sit here and reflect on 2009 and enjoy the beginning of 2010, I am reminded at what a new year can bring. There is always a sense of excitement -- that a new year can mean great things. What will happen in the Towson real estate market? Will it rise? Will it fall? [...]