Time is running out for Crofton 1st time home buyers to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit. This government program is scheduled to run out November 30, 2009. Buyers have to settle on a home on or before that date.

There is still time to find your dream home and get paid $8,000 after closing by the IRS. Visit the IRS website for conditions that apply for qualification.

Right now the inventory in Anne Arundel County is strong for 1st time home buyers. Interest rates are still low and sellers are very willing to negotiate. You couldn’t find a better time to buy.

If you don’t have an agent to help you through the home buying process…give me a call.

Most of us know about Craig’s List. This site is one of the most visited site on the internet, and provides a great service for many users. Buyers, sellers, service providers, all have an opportunity to meet the public and trade their wares.

While Craig’s List can do so much good for so many, it is also a magnet for some unseemly characters trying to bilk you out of your hard earned money. Over the years, a fair amount of scammers target property rentals. There’s just something about rentals that they think there is easy money to be made.

The latest rental scam is targeting people wanting to rent. A Craig’s List scammer will enter in a rental property for an unrealistically low rental price. Of course, they fail to mention, that they don’t actually own the property. When they’re contacted they profess to be out of the country and are offering the property at such a low rate because they are looking for people who can take care of the property as well.

Just send them the first month’s rent and they’ll send you a lease and the keys. I’m sure they don’t get many takers with that system but all they need is a couple to make a profit. It cost’s them nothing except their time to enter the fake rental into Craig’s List.

Don’t be caught up in any potential rental scams. The old saying, “If it looks too good, it probably is,” still applies.

Use a local REALTOR® to help you find your rental or home purchase. I can help, call Rich at 443-995-9595.

I’m sure you get an opportunity to read about home sale statistics in the newspapers once a month or so. Usually, the article has a pretty negative slant to it because after all, that’s what sells papers.

When you read the articles you could come away thinking that nothing is selling. That’s wrong as the graph below shows. If you look at the sales in the price range between $200,000 and $300,000, you’ll see that it’s pretty robust. This one price range was responsible for 58% of Crofton home sales in May 2009.

This one is an easy one to figure out. That price range is usually where you will find first time homebuyers. There are a lot of them out there right now taking advantage of the low interest rates, large inventory and the $8,000 tax credit from the IRS. This tax credit will expire on the last day of November, 2009. 

If you’re interested in taking advantage of the current buyers market in Crofton MD and surrounding communities, give me a call at 443-995-9595.

Anne Arundel County will hold a Community Safety Meeting with Crofton residents at the Walden Country Club on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7 PM. All residents are welcome to come and discuss current crime issues with County representives, the Chief of Police and the School Superintendent.

The meeting was scheduled because of community concerns about the recent violence which resulted in the death of a Crofton teen, Christopher Jones, last Saturday. While this case will not be discussed in detail because of the ongoing investigation, general police and safety matters will.

Plan to attend. The Walden Country Club can be found at 1500 Reidel Road, Crofton.

On Saturday, Christopher Jones, a freshman at South River High School died from an assault in Crofton. Police reports indicate that he was riding a bike on Nantucket Drive when he was assaulted by several other teenagers. Preliminary indications are that this wasn’t a random incident. Complete details of what happened are still being investigated. It is clear that he died as a result of being assaulted by several other teens.

Police have already picked up two suspects, a 14 year old and a 16 year old. I’m sure others will soon follow as the investigation continues.

This is a pointless tragedy that should never have happened.

We can’t bring Christopher back, and although most residents didn’t know him, the community mourns his loss and grieves along with his parents.

The short answer to that question is, no. Yesterday, HUD issued a preliminary letter saying that they were recommending that course of action. Today, they recanted yesterday’s position. Stay tuned for what may be coming next.

Despite the turnaround, first time Crofton, MD real estate home buyers can still take advantage of the $8000 tax credit if they buy a home before December 1st of this year. Don’t delay, there are great buys, even in Crofton MD for first time homebuyers.

Take a good look when you’re driving around Crofton Parkway in Crofton, MD. THe Cherry Blossoms and Dogwood Blossoms will soon be gone. When they’re in bloom Crofton Parkway looks beautiful. By the time the second week of April rolls around, most of the colorful blossoms will be on the ground, making way for the green leaves to follow.

Cherry Blossom on Crofton Parkway

Dogwood Blossoms on Crofton Parkway

The Crofton Library, located at 1681 Reidel Road, in Crofton is a terrific community resource. The current library was built a few years ago, replacing the one in the KMart shopping center.

Unlike libraries of old this one also contains about 20 personal computers available for use. Almost any day I go to the Crofton library, the personal computers are being used heavily by residents.

Library hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 9 PM,Friday and Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM. Due to cuts in county library budgets, Sunday hours were suspended last year.

To see whats happening at the Crofton Library just visit the County Website for up to date information about the Crofton Library.

Crofton Library