Archive for the ‘Useful information’ Category

Tips to Keep your Yard Cool in Hot Weather

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
Photo Courtesy of EarthEasy.com

Photo Courtesy of EarthEasy.com

 

We may be more than half way through Summer but we still have plenty of hot days ahead of us.  Below you will find a few very important tips to help keep your yard healthy and happy on a warm day:

 

  1. Do not over-water your lawn!   Grass reaches deep with its roots for moisture, so water about once a week.  Water heavily, about an inch or two, for best results.
  2. Do not cut your grass short!  By giving your lawn an extra inch or so in length, your allowing the blades to shade your roots from the sun.  Healthy roots grow longer and stronger.
  3. Do fertilize your grass every 2 months or so.  Healthy, fed grass produces thick, even blades that cool down the soil and maintain your grass even in hot weather.
  4. Last but not least, the best time to water your lawn is early morning.  You have the best chance of avoiding evaporation at this time of day.

 

Combining the above tips will leave you with a healthy yard for the remainder of Summer and the hot beginning days of Fall!

Significant Changes in Real Estate News – June & July 2010 Report

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Our newest editions on the real estate market here in Calvert County bring new data and changes worth reviewing:

June Highlights-

  • Homes are selling faster than recent months have reported.  On average, a house is on the market for about a month less than before, which is a pleasant decrease in the waiting period for sellers.
  • The average listing price of a home is back under $300,000.00 like it was in previous months.  The last time we saw over $300,000.00 for a home listing was back in January.  It is definitely a buyer’s market right now.
  • The number of homes sold are holding steady since last month at a little over 100 homes this month.  This is significant as this is only the second time home sales have broken 100 in a year.

 

Some noticeable differences in our July report below:

 

  • There was a drop in sales from June to July with 57 total homes sold.  The decrease in sales could be due to summer vacations and busy summer schedules. Hopefully things will pick back up next month.
  • Great news!   On average this report, homes were on the market less than 100 days, giving confidence to homeowners selling their properties.
  • The “sold price” for homes is back over $300,000.00 after decreasing last month to around $274,000.00.  Let’s hope this trend continues for sellers in our county!

The State of Calvert County Real Estate – May 2010

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Calvert County Housing Market Trends Through May 2010

In this third issue of The State of Calvert County Real Estate, let’s discuss the activity and trends we’ve been seeing over the last couple of months. The chart below presents a lot of data but shows a few points worth noting:

  • The month of May saw a dramatic increase in sales compared to months prior.  Sales were double what we saw in February and March.
  • The seller contribution to closing costs has remained consistent, around $6,000.00.  Sellers, be prepared to assist your buyer in this market.
  • On a positive note, there has been an increase in the sales price of homes.  Sales prices have hit over $300,000.00 for the first time since January 2010.

Lynn Bonde, Calvert Hospice CEO, Retires after 12 Years

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Lynn Leaves a Brilliant Legacy in Calvert County

First the bad news – Lynn Bonde, the energetic and visionary CEO of Calvert Hospice is retiring following a successful 12 year career. The good news – Lynn’s long list of accomplishments include the building of the Burnett-Calvert Hospice House and the creation of the Shoppe for Hospice ladies and children’s gently used clothing store. At Lynn’s Retirement Dinner, to highlight Shoppe for Hospice, a fashion show was hosted by Ann Kaine, manager of the Shoppe.

Lynn Bonde, Jay Webster, Ann Kaine

Lynn Bonde, Jay Webster, Ann Kaine

Kaine Homes and Marrick Homes Report Strong Sales in College Station

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Kaine Homes and Marrick Homes Keep Up Robust 2009 Sales Pace

Both Calvert County home builders are pleased with combined sales of almost 40 homes in the last 13 months in  the College Station community. An convenient Prince Frederick location combined with exceptionally affordable prices from the mid $300’s has attracted many first time homebuyers as well as folks purchasing their second homes. Both Kaine Homes and Marrick Homes feature furnished model homes and design centers and are open seven days a week.

Kaine Homes takes CPR & First Aid class

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Better to be Prepared

Thanks to Eileen Jenkins, EMT and Trainer, we learned valuable emergency first aid skills including CPR. For example, to stop a nose-bleed, you hold your head down and squeeze your nostrils. Many thought the correct procedure was to tilt your head backwards (blood then drains down your throat – a no-no). Here’s another – 90% of bleeds can be stopped by applying consistent pressure. Eileen, you did a great job putting up with our not-always-on-task group.

Thanks, so much.

All of us at Kaine Homes

How Can You Tell When We've Reached the Bottom?

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

Several New Reports Give Insights

For those of us whose constantly monitor the housing market, we’re ever watchful for what we hope will be the bottom of this Great Recession. Why are we looking so hard? Because no recovery can start until most of  the lights are off. The bottom will give us a new foundation upon which the economy and the housing market can rebuild.  Thankfully, all real estate markets are local.  We’re very grateful that we’re in the Washington Metro market which is still supporting strong job growth. Many areas of the country (FL, AZ, NV, CA) still have considerable bleeding left before they reach the bottom. 

In a recent report by Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Economy.com, noted that prices in the Washington Metro market would decline by about 6% but rebound next year by more than 4%.  Another report by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence places the DC area in the top 10 real estate markets in the country.

Speaking in very local terms, our Calvert County market seems to be sprouting some “green shoots” of stabilization.  In fact, our home and lot prices have started to rise in the last few months. This hasn’t happened for over two years. Be on the lookout for Melissa’s upcoming blog post where she’ll do an in depth analysis of our local sales activity.

So just maybe what I see rising under my feet is the bottom. Let’s hope.

Brooke

Kaine Homes Hosts Calvert League of Women Voters Holiday Dinner

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Influential Political Organization Celebrates Holiday Season with Potluck Dinner Party at Kaine Homes Model

The Calvert County Chapter of the League of Women Voters enjoyed a festive dinner and meeting at our new Model Homes in College Station. We’ve hosted previous League events and we always enjoy brainstorming with League members as to how we can bring sensible and needed affordable housing to Calvert County. I was also privileged to give a short talk on why our TRADITIONS project failed to gain traction due to the overwhelming anti-growth sentiment here in Calvert County.

Brooke Kaine

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For Calvert County New Home Buyers: Good News and Bad News

Friday, November 27th, 2009

Washington Metro Area #3 Healthiest New Home Market in Nation

Research shows shows that Washington, D.C., is one of the few major markets to actually record an increase in new home sales this year; sales were up 17% through June, according to Hanley Wood Market Intelligence, though the market slowed in September. The federal government appears to be living up to its reputation as a counter-cyclical buffer, though many of the jobs in the nation’s capital are now in the tech sector. Home prices in this high-priced region seemed to correct early. Median home prices fell 20% in 2008 and have fallen another 21% through September of this year. But in a research note, market researcher Dan Fulton recently asserted that home prices probably won’t decline further. In his opinion, Northern Virginia doesn’t have enough housing, while Maryland’s Prince George’s and Charles counties continue to suffer from oversupply. Washington qualifies as one of the most affluent markets in the country with a median income of $83,500.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended – Video Explains Details

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Take Advantage of this Program Now – Fed Says NO to Any Further Extensions