Thursday, May 23, 2013

Tax Benefits for Home Owners

Tax Benefits For Homeowners

Helene Kelbaugh of Keller Williams Realty Baltimore

We all know the old adage about nothing being certain except death and taxes. But on a more positive note, you can also be certain of tax benefits if, that is, IF you are a homeowner.

Purchasing a home can provide valuable tax savings to homebuyers. Mortgage interest, property tax, and other payments associated with financing a home can apply to your tax deductions. They may decrease the amount of income tax you must pay to Uncle Sam!

Another financial perk to owning a home is that as you begin to pay off your mortgage, you can build equity in your property. The value of your home can increase as your total mortgage amount decreases over time. These Tax Benefits For Homeowners Only.

For those who rent, the tax savings of ownership go to the landlord, not to the tenants. Wouldn't YOU rather build equity for yourself every month instead of paying someone else and giving away "your" tax savings?

Additional Advantages of Homeownership

Scheduled Savings:
When you are a homeowner, your monthly mortgage payments serve as a type of savings plan. Over time you will accumulate what lenders call "equity," an ownership interest in your house that you may be able to borrow against or convert to cash by selling the house.
Stable Housing Costs:
While rents typically increase year after year, the principal and interest portion of most mortgage payments remains unchanged for the entire repayment period. Because of the effect of inflation, you pay the same amount with ever "cheaper" dollars.
Increased Value:
Houses typically increase in value over time. It's not unusual for a house that sold fifteen years ago to be valued at much more than its selling price today. This increased value is as good as money in the bank to the homeowner.

What's Next?

Need to Sell?

Need to Buy?

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Helene Kelbaugh, Realtor

Certified Distressed Property Expert

Internet Marketing Specialist Designation

Keller Williams Realty
2936 Odonnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-246-6032 o 443-465-8443 m

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

“Highest Overall Satisfaction For Home Buyers and Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms”

Combined Disclaimer: Keller Williams received the highest numerical score among full service real estate firms for home buyers and home sellers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Home Buyer/Seller Study^SM. Study based on 2,994 total evaluations measuring five firms and measures opinions of individuals who bought or sold a home between March 2011 and April 2012. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed March-May 2012. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

Monday, May 20, 2013

Home Prices in Gwynn Oak for May 2013

Home Prices in Gwynn Oak for May 2013

Real estate market date for Gwynn Oak, Maryland provided by Helene Kelbaugh of Keller Williams Realty Baltimore

Gwynn Oak Home Prices
Home prices for Gwynn Oak, MD 21207 have had a huge spike and continue to go up. Right now the market is heating up and not showing any signs of slowing down right or the near future. Good buys are still available. Being a buyer right is still better than renting. The best way to get a good deal is by having a knowledgeable REALTOR who knows the home prices and market in the area of Gwynn Oak. Don't wait, it is time to make a decision as soon as possible. We are in a market with very low inventory. This means higher home prices. Making smart decisions quick, is key to success. Many listings are selling over the list price. To make sure you don't pay more for the house than what it's worth, you'll want to have an agent the does a thorough analysis of the market of the home that you are considering purchasing.

Gwynn Oak Real Estate Report Summary
The median list price in May for single family homes in Gwynn Oak is $167,100.
The list prices dropped by-1.64% from the previous month.

The price per square foot for listings in this area is $112.

The median sale price in February forsingle family homes is $117,500. The sale prices increased by 335.18%from the previous month.

Find homes for Sale in Gwynn Oak, MD

Visit my website to search for homes in Gwynn Oak or to be notified whenGwynn Oak Homes come on the market.

To find out what your home is worth in the current market email me or call 443-465-8443

Connect with me socially!
Helene Kelbaugh, Realtor

Certified Distressed Property Expert

Internet Marketing Specialist Designation

Keller Williams Realty
2936 Odonnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-246-6032 o 443-465-8443 m

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

“Highest Overall Satisfaction For Home Buyers and Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms”

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Baltimore Open House

Why visit open houses?

Baltimore Open Houses are a good way to get to know a know neighborhood and become familiar with various styles homes. For people relocating to Baltimore it's a great idea as well.

What will happen at an open house?

Typically, the sellers agent, or another agent that represents the seller, is inside the property. This agent at theBaltimore Open House will have you sign in and allow you to walk through the property.

What do I before visiting the open house

Before visiting open houses meet with your own REALTOR and get preapproved. In Maryland the agent holding the house open represents the seller. To make your home search the most productive, getting preapproved will allow a buyer to know what price to stay in. With so many buyers looking in limited inventory of baltimore homes for sale getting preapproved will put a buyer in a position to write an offer immediately instead of waiting until the week day to get preapproved and miss the house.

It's important to know the home buying process before beginning to burn fuel. If one doesn't know how much is needed, how much the monthly mortgage payment is and what closing costs are, it can be very frustrating.

Open House

Can I schedule my own showing?

Yes! Meet with your REALTOR. Having a buyer consultation with your REALTOR can help narrow down homes only to few that actually meet your needs. With your preapproval in hand and ready to go, scheduling appointments at a date and time that meets your needs is key. Be sure to give a enough notice for showings. Sometimes there are restrictions the seller has put forth such as 24-48 hour notice and must be approved prior to visit.

What do I do now?

Contact your REALTOR and schedule an appointment to meet in the office. Your REALTOR will help you with financing. As a buyer, once your preapproved, and have your consultation, you should see your perfect home in 5-7 home previews or less.

View open house

Connect with me socially!
Helene Kelbaugh, Realtor

Certified Distressed Property Expert

Internet Marketing Specialist Designation

Keller Williams Realty
2936 Odonnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-246-6032 o 443-465-8443 m

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

“Highest Overall Satisfaction For Home Buyers and Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms”

What are the Best Home Improvements to Sell a House?

What are the Best Home Improvements to Sell a House?

Helene Kelbaugh of Keller Williams Realty Baltimore

Home sellers need to focus only on the home improvements that should be made. How do you know what are the best improvements to sell a house? It depends. Things like time of year, location and competition play a role.

The are no hard and fast rules, but creating a memorable first impression with home improvements pays off.

In addition, it's important to remember the top five areas that most home buyers are looking at:

1. Exterior Home Improvements

Buyers won't even come inside if the exterior is too shabby. Take a peek at the exterior. Cracked sidewalks? Exterior paint chipped? Leaky Roof? Most of these are easy to fix and should be done prior to listing your home on the market.

2. Flooring Home Improvements

One of the first things a buyer notices is the flooring. Is the carpet, hardwood or laminate in good condition? Is there tile or linoleum in the bathrooms? Most buyers are looking for high quality flooring. Floors can be easily updated to appeal to buyers. Steam clean the carpet!

3. Paint Home Improvements

Neutral colors, like off-white and beige, are traditionally the best colors to paint ahome to sell. Steer clear of bold or gender-specific colors like purples, reds and oranges. Be sure the paint is done by a professional. Home buyers can be picky and do not want to have to fix a sloppy paint job.

4. Kitchen Home Improvements

The kitchen is the costliest room of the house. Home buyers will shy away if they feel the kitchen needs to be remodeled or repaired. Therefore, the home seller must take an inventory of what needs to be replaced in the kitchen and determine the cost vs. value. In many cases, taking the time to update appliances, upgrade countertops or cabinetry can make or break the sale of a home.

5. Bathroom Home Improvements

Second to the kitchen, the master and guest bathrooms are the costliest rooms of the house, and buyers will be looking at items such as the shower, sinks, toilets and fixtures to make sure they are in good condition.

What's Next?

What is the value of my home

Contact a REALTOR

Connect with me socially!
Helene Kelbaugh, Realtor

Certified Distressed Property Expert

Internet Marketing Specialist Designation

Keller Williams Realty
2936 Odonnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-246-6032 o 443-465-8443 m

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

“Highest Overall Satisfaction For Home Buyers and Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms”

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Best Farmer's Market in Baltimore

Best Farmer's Market in Baltimore

Richardson Farms

5900 Ebenezer Road
White Marsh, MD 21162
Store Phone: (410) 335-5900

Open 363 Days a Year

Hours: Mon-Sat 8am to 6pm Sun 8am to 5pm

Closed Christmas Day & New Years Day

Cost: See Menu

Specializing in Farm Fresh Foods

Richardson Farms specializes in farm fresh foods. These farm fresh foods go from the farm into your fridge. Richardson Farms is famous for their fresh kale, collard, and sweet corn. Not to mention their fantastic fresh Chicken dinners. Perfect for any meal with a side a corn bread is just what the doctor ordered! These are just a few of the delicious items on their menu. When visiting be sure the visit their floral gardens center to. Richardson Farms

puts decades of experience into their delicious dishes. If your in the area, make it a point to visit. Their menu offers a little something for everyone!

Favorite Dishes

A few of my favorite dishes at Richardson Farms are the amazing Chicken Dinner! The Chicken Dinner is big enough for a family or several meals for a few. The Chicken is fresh and delicious, and typically comes with 2 fresh and delicious sides and sweet Cornbread. Be sure to try all of the side dishes. Collard Greens, Macaroni & Cheese (come on Friday for Crabby Mac & Cheese), String Beans, Rice Pilaf, Potatoes and more! You really can't go wrong here. The best part is coming back and trying something new too!

Variety

Richardson Farms has dinners, fresh uncooked meats fresh veggies and fruits, homemade peanut butters, homemade baked goods, dairy fresh ice cream and so many more items. Now Richardson Farms has an place to eat that delicious food outside.

Service and Cleanliness

For most of us the most important thing to a restaurant is the service and cleanliness. With great service creates great loyalty. Each and every time we have visited this Richardson Farms, it's very clean.

You can visit Richardson Farms online!

Are you looking to Buy or Sell a Home in the Middle River area?

Connect with me socially!
Helene Kelbaugh, Realtor

Certified Distressed Property Expert

Internet Marketing Specialist Designation

Keller Williams Realty
2936 Odonnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-246-6032 o 443-465-8443 m

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

“Highest Overall Satisfaction For Home Buyers and Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms”

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Open Houses for Baltimore County

Open Houses

Open houses are when sellers allow their REALTOR to hold their home open for a few hours for buyers to preview. Open houses are a great way to get familiar with a certain style home in a community. The seller typically is not present as the agent in the house is representing the seller and the seller's interest only.

How do I find Open Houses?

While there are a variety of sites that may provide information, the best site to visit is open house list forBaltimore County. This site is refreshed daily with a direct feed link to the REALTOR multiple listing service. This site also has the open houses schedules for ALL the brokerages in Maryland. Here you can look for open houses, other homes for sale not open, save properties and even set email listing alerts to be notified immediately when new listings hit the market. Map view

Do I need representation?

While buyer representation is not required to view open houses, it is a good idea to meet with a REALTORrepresenting your interests before beginning the home buying process. It's also a good idea to get approved as well. This way as a buyer you don't waste your valuable time either looking at homes outside of your budget.

What if there is a house I want to see that isn't open?

Not all houses for sale will be held open. In fact most are not. As we are in a market where homes are selling very quickly many homes aren't on the market long enough to have an open house. Contact your REALTOR to schedule a private viewing of the property. You and your agent can walk through the property privately and share your thoughts on the home.

What's next?

Search for homes, open houses, community reports and more at www.HeleneSellsHomes.com.

Meet with a REALTOR

Connect with me socially!
Helene Kelbaugh, Realtor

Certified Distressed Property Expert

Internet Marketing Specialist Designation

Keller Williams Realty
2936 Odonnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
410-246-6032 o 443-465-8443 m

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

“Highest Overall Satisfaction For Home Buyers and Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms”