Archive for the 'Sellers' Category
Annapolis Home Sellers: Should You Try to Sell During the Holidays?
December 7th, 2010 Categories: One Minute Realtor, Sellers
People Often Ask Us Whether Or Not They Should Keep Their Home Listed During the Holidays. Here’s Our Take
Now, who in their their right mind would want to go house shopping during the holidays?
Answer: someone who really needs to find a home quickly, that’s who.
That’s why – when sellers ask – we encourage them to NOT un-list their home: yes, it may be a little inconvenient to show your home during a season full of parties, presents and good cheer. On the other hand, only serious buyers are out looking. The tire kickers are home roasting chestnuts and searching online.
Consider this, too: can you think of a time when your home looks more lovely than it does this time of year? Probably not. You’ve cleaned…strung the stockings…and otherwise made the place look spectacular. Buyers will melt.
Worried that you’ll have to pack up before the end of the year? Not likely, at this point. Negotiate an early January settlement if you must. And if you can’t, start packing: a good offer on your home is likely to be the best gift you’ll get this season.
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How NOT To Sell Your Annapolis Area Home
September 3rd, 2010 Categories: One Minute Realtor, Sellers
The Real Estate Market is Tough Right Now. Don’t Make It Any Tougher on Yourself
We get around. In a typical week, we – the members of The Moss Haedrich Team - probably show or preview 25 homes, talk to a dozen or more potential sellers and twice that many fellow Realtors.
When you’re in the trenches like we are, you see the local real estate market up close and personal. And you develop a keen instinct for which homes are going to sell…and which ones are going to just linger on the vine.
If you’re thinking about selling, here’s Ken talking about how NOT to become one of the lingerers.
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59 Harbour Heights Drive, Annapolis: Sold in 11 Days!
August 7th, 2010 Categories: Faces In The Crowd, Naval Academy, Sellers
Meet The Hamels, Our Most Recent Satisfied Clients – Or So They Tell Us
One of the sad ironies of the real estate business is that you get to know some of the nicest people just before they move away for good.
Such is the case with Josh, Jillian and Luke Hamel, pictured here. (Luke is young fellow contemplating his father’s knee.)
If they look happy, well, they have much to be happy about: they have a lovely new child. They’re striking out on the next adventurous chapter of their lives. And their Seabreeze townhome sold in just 11 days.
A few minutes after this photo was taken, the Hamels hit the road for California where Josh – a Lieutenant Commander who just left active duty and a teaching job at the Naval Academy – has taken a position as a professor for the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department at Cal State Long Beach.
Jillian – a former Nurse Practitioner for the Division of Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore – says they’ll really miss the beautiful change of seasons here and the evening walks by the water in downtown Annapolis.
As for the unabashedly promotional plug to this story, the Hamels almost made us blush with their kind comments.
“We really enjoyed working with you” they told us. “You’re very knowledgeable about real estate in general and the Annapolis market specifically. You guided us smoothly through the process of selling our home. We were proud to have you represent us and would gladly recommend you to others.”
Thanks, Josh and Jillian – we appreciate that. And best of luck to you out West.
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The Most Expensive Annapolis Waterfront Homes For Sale
April 20th, 2010 Categories: Buyers, Real Estate News, Sellers
So Your Ship Has Come In. Now Dock It at one of these High End Annapolis Waterfront Homes
In the previous post, I mentioned two of our most recent Annapolis waterfront listings – the more expensive of the two, 1134 River Bay Rd, priced at $1,725,000.
That’s not chump change in anyone’s book, but it’s also not the most expensive waterfront home that’s currently for sale in Annapolis – not by a nautical mile.
In fact, there are 46 others priced at or above the $1,725,000 mark.
Topping the list at $11,900,000 is 1514 Whitehall Rd, a 40-acre waterfront estate on Whitehall Creek. If that’s stretching your budget, 1810 Lindamoor – a 3-acre estate with 250′ of frontage on the Severn – might be more your style.
Click here to preview the most expensive Annapolis waterfront homes.
Not surprisingly, homes in this price range don’t typically sell like hotcakes. The average days-on-market for these homes is 295. Currently, there are 4 homes in this price range under contract.
If you would care to preview any of these homes, please call me at 410-507-7222; we’d be happy to discuss your needs, make the arrangements and be your guide to the Annapolis waterfront market.
And if you’d like to get on our hotlist of Annapolis waterfront homes, just send me an email at kenhaedrich@gmail.com and let me know. We’ll sign you right up.
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Annapolis Waterfront: Two New Listings That Will Knock Your Socks Off
April 19th, 2010 Categories: Buyers, Featured Listings, Sellers
In The Market for Annapolis Waterfront? We’ve Got a Beauty for Under a Million…and a Magothy River Gem at $1.725 Mil
If the number of calls we’re getting on our two newest waterfront listings is any indication, Annapolis is crawling with waterfront buyers in search of their new dream home.
1134 River Bay is the sort of one-of-a-kind, custom home that waterfront buyers only dream about. It was designed by renowned local architect, Catherine Purple Cherry, and if I had to describe it in a phrase it would be “elegantly comfortable.” If you lived here, you’d have very little incentive to ever leave home.
Stunning as the home is, it’s all about the water and the views here – views that stretch across the Magothy, out to Gibson Island and across the Bay. The walls of glass along the back of the home frame these views beautifully and bring the outside in.
My wife and partner – Bev Moss Haedrich – found this home for the current owner several years ago and it was love at first sight.
If your budget is closer to a million, our new listing at 361 Broadview Lane in Broadview Estates – off Riva Road – may be just what you’re looking for.
This traditional Colonial has 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, a sensational kitchen and sunlit dining area. The hardwoods on the main level are in excellent condition. The master suite is fabulous.
The lot sits well above Broad Creek and there are steps down to a private, deep-water pier.
Enjoy the virtual tours of these two properties. If you have any questions about either of them – or would like to arrange for a preview – please call me at 410-507-7222.
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Riva Trace Real Estate Market Update
March 14th, 2010 Categories: Buyers, Neighborhood Sales & Stats, Sellers
Riva Trace is One of The Annapolis Area’s Best Kept Secrets. And Those Who Find It, Find It Hard to Leave
We should know: we’ve lived here 9 years. And though we have – on occasion – thought about moving, we’re not really sure why we would want to.
We’re close to the action here, just a mile or two from the new Annapolis Towne Center. The mall is just a hop, skip and a jump. Routes 50 and 97 are a 5 minute drive….but it feels like we’re way out in the beautiful ‘burbs. The people are nice, the dogs friendly. What more could you ask for?
(Click to skip to the Riva Trace market report.)
The Overall Picture
Having sold more than $7,000,000 worth of homes in Riva Trace, we know it well – the condos, town homes and single family homes.
As with elsewhere in the greater Annapolis area, home prices have taken a hit in the last year or so. Sales have slowed, as well, with many owners waiting to sell until they feel the market has stabilized or started to improve.
When owners stay in their homes longer, they tend to make improvements and updates – which bodes well for the general well-being of the community and future owners who are sure to find quality homes here at desirable prices.
Currently, there are 2 condos for rent, both 3rd floor, 2 level units. Another 3rd level unit just came to market this week at $345,000. One of our listings – a second floor, 2 bedroom condo – is under contract.
There are 4 active town home listings, at a high of $499,900 for an end unit on Gingerview…to a low of $359,900 on Cranes Crook.
You can find all the details here in the Riva Trace market report.
If you have questions about any of these listings or would like to schedule a showing, please contact my wife Bev at 410-353-2469. We’ll be happy to help.
If you’d like to get on our Riva Trace Hotlist – and have the latest sales and listings emailed to you as they happen – just email me at kenhaedrich@gmail.com and I’ll set you up.
And if you’re considering selling your Riva Trace home, please call. We’ll come by and have a look, give your our best no-pressure opinion of what your home is worth in this market, and show you precisely how we sell so many homes here.
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Davidsonville Home For Sale: 1015 Wayson Way, in Video
March 2nd, 2010 Categories: Buyers, Featured Listings, Sellers
Private, Spacious and Meticulously Maintained, This Davidsonville Home is as Lovely as it is Unique
When you sell real estate, your listings are like your children: you love them all and it’s hard to play favorites.
That being said, you can’t help but deeply appreciate the unique nature of certain homes, how special they are and confident that the next owner will feel a strong connection to the property.
This Davidsonville listing is one such home – a place where, whenever I step inside, I feel an immediate sense of calm and at-home-ness. If you’re looking for the McMansion-on-the-hill sort of thing, there are other options: 1015 Wayson isn’t even visible from the road and that, to me, is one of its greatest charms.
Sound interesting? Have a look, and if you’d like to see more, just give a call. And if you like to see more right now, here a click to the Virtual Tour for 1015 Wayson Way.
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Shoreham Beach Home for Sale: 3914 Bayside Drive, Edgewater MD
February 27th, 2010 Categories: Buyers, Real Estate News, Sellers
Our Newest Edgewater Listing Has a Host of Hidden Treasures, Panoramic Water Views and So Much More
East of Loch Haven Road to the end of the Mayo Peninsula you’ll come across some of the nicest little communities in the Annapolis area – Selby on the Bay, Ponder Cove, Turkey Point, Mayo Beach and Beverly Beach, among others.
Shoreham Beach, too, where – as with so many other local maritime communities – older cottages mingle quite comfortably, thank you, with million dollar plus waterfront homes. Indeed, many of the more expensive properties ARE old cottages reincarnated.
Our newest listing – 3914 Bayside Drive, with 100′ of frontage on Ramsay Lake – began as a cottage more than half a century ago; a series of additions and improvements over the years make up the existing home, which sits on one of the largest lots in the community (a total of four 25′ by 100′ lots, side by side.)
The home was built to the owners’ tastes with custom cabinetry, features and special touches the owner likes to refer to as “hidden treasures.” Most notably – in the colder weather – is the radiant heat in the tiled floor of the central great room and kitchen. This is especially appealing for those of us who’d rather be barefoot on the beach somewhere warm. (Following this February’s weather, that’s pretty much all of us, I imagine.)
Other “hidden treasures” include a whole house sound system, venting skylights with rain sensors, extra-tall garage doors (think storage for your boat on a trailer), a summer kitchen for crab feasts or caterers, and a framed-but-unfinished suite of rooms – measuring 36′ by 36′ – over the triple garage. Depending on your needs and lifestyle, this could become a new master suite, guest or in-law suite, you name it.
Here’s a click to the Virtual Tour for 3914 Bayside. If you like what you see and want to arrange a private preview, give us a call at 410-507-7222 and we’d be happy to give you the tour. It’s a very special home with tons of appeal for anyone looking for a well-priced waterfront home in the greater Annapolis area.
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When Clients Go Above and Beyond
February 27th, 2010 Categories: One Minute Realtor, Sellers
Sadly, You Hear a Lot of Horror Stories in this Business. How About a Really Happy One For a Change?
We at The Moss Haedrich Team are blessed to have lots of really nice clients. Whether they find us here on our blog…on one of our other websites…or come to us as referrals, as many of our clients do, I’m convinced our clients would win all the gold if somebody held a Nice Olympics.
Which brings me to last Sunday evening, when my cell phone rang at 9:00. It was a client, and – as anyone in real estate will tell you – when a client calls you at 9:00PM on a Sunday it’s typically not to say how swell they think you are.
This client was calling to say they were locked out of their home. They had been gone for the day in Pennsylvania…their home had a couple of showings in their absence…and apparently someone had unwittingly locked the door from the garage into the house. Could I give them the lockbox code to get in?
Well, no I couldn’t because – as you may know – our lockboxes in Anne Arundel county require a special electronic key. No problem, I assured them: I’ll just update my key, drive over and open the door. I didn’t dawdle: they have young children. I once did, also, and I knew that after a long drive the novelty of sitting outside your locked house singing yet another round of 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall would wear thin quickly.
I arrived, let them in, and – after exchanging a few quick regrets – was gone in about 2 minutes.
And that would have been that – all in a Realtor day’s work, you know. Except for the fact that our client stopped by our office this week, unexpectedly, to express his gratitude for driving 20 minutes to let his family in on a Sunday evening. He then handed us a gift card to our favorite restaurant.
I can’t tell you how touched we were by this expression of gratitude.
Real estate can be a demanding business. We help navigate our clients – buyers and sellers – through transactions that can be complicated, protracted and emotionally draining. Managing frayed nerves, raw emotions and disappointment come with the job.
As does – on occasion – a great big unexpected thank you.
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Annapolis Real Estate 2010: Ten Trends and Predictions
January 9th, 2010 Categories: Buyers, Real Estate News, Sellers
Wondering What the Annapolis Real Estate Market is Going to Do in 2010? So Are We
“It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” – Yogi Berra
I’ve spent the last couple of hours – more time than I should have – reading what every blogger and apparent expert thinks the real estate market is going to do in 2010. Some of it is rosy, like stabilizing prices and strong sales. Some it much less so: predictions of many more foreclosures and higher interest rates.
I have no idea whether or not they’re right: most of these things happen WAY above my pay grade. But we – The Moss Haedrich Team - do have our boots in the trenches selling real estate here in the Annapolis area. We notice things, we see trends, so we thought perhaps you’d like to hear about some of the trends we’ve spotted for 2010.
1. Sellers doing less costly improvements. And why not? Why put five grand into replacing kitchen cabinets when a fresh coat of paint will spiff them up just fine? We just listed a home where the seller did just that. They look beautiful. It’s still crucial to make a home look fab prior to a sale. But sellers are getting smart about where they put their dollars in these equity-squeezed times.
2. An early spring market. Maybe because we’re already so busy. Unless we get some terrible weather in the next couple of months, it should be a very active first quarter. First-time and buy-up buyers can get their tax credits if they have a contract by April, so the early rush is on.
3. Buyers getting started earlier with their searches. Each month we talk to about 150 new potential home buyers. It’s not unusual to hear that they’re still 12+ months out on a purchase. They’re researching the market thoroughly, watching home sales and figuring our where the value is. Today’s home buyer is very well educated and they’re using the internet – and Realtors – to help get the information they need.
4. Speaking of Realtors, they’ll continue to be fewer of them – here in Anne Arundel county and everywhere else. The real estate business has changed dramatically in the last few years. It’s become more competitive, technology-driven, and there’s little room for those who haven’t kept up. More and more part timers and dabblers are getting our of the business altogether.
5. The home office is king. Our buyers want them, often two of them. Makes sense: the Great Recession has found more and more people starting businesses and working from home. If you’re selling a home, stage an extra bedroom as a sleek home office.
6. Excellent deals in new construction. We can’t believe what some of the spec and model homes are selling for in the Annapolis area. These subdivisions are dying for occupancy; they’re making great deals and throwing in all sorts of upgrades to get you in. Our new construction buyers are some of the happiest buyers out there.
7. Incredible deals at the high end of the market. This is the slowest segment of the market. Many of these homes have been sitting on the market for more than a year. The prices have nowhere to go but down.
8. First floor master suites and elevators. A lot of today’s baby boomers don’t spring up the steps the way we used to. First floor masters and elevators are hot with many of our buyers.
9. In-law suites. Another sign of the recession: combined households. We just sold a home in Edgewater that had a very large in-law suite, complete with kitchen, bedroom, living room and home office. Potential buyers flocked to see it.
10. Less infatuation among buyers for short sales. Short sale buyers often think they’re going to get a steal. Quite often, they’re getting nothing but frustration. It can takes months to get an answer from a bank about an offer. Buyers are getting fed up.
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