Mary Lowry Smith

Coldwell Banker Market Watch - May 2012 (April 2012 sales data)

Mary Lowry Smith — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:39:00 GMT

Wow! Median Sold prices up, and inventories down in five jurisdictions.

Click here to read more

Coldwell Banker's Energy Smart Newsletter - April 2012

Mary Lowry Smith — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Check out ways you can go green this month. To read the April edition, Click Here

Many markets with low inventory and increasing median prices

Mary Lowry Smith — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:42:00 GMT

In 146 metros tracked by Realtor.com, the number of for-sale listings was down 21 percent in March compared to a year ago. All but two markets -- Philadelphia and Hartford, Conn. -- saw listing inventory decline, and 78 markets registered declines of 20 percent or more.

Click the link to read the entire article: Markets with low inventory

Coldwell Banker's April Market Watch covers March sales in our regional markets

Mary Lowry Smith — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:56:00 GMT

Here's a great way to compare several different markets in our region:

Click here to read April's Market Watch

Coldwell Banker February Market Watch covering January sales in regional markets

Mary Lowry Smith — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:21:00 GMT

Click here to read Market Watch

Coldwell Banker Market Watch- January 2012

Mary Lowry Smith — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:06:00 GMT

Coldwell Banker Market Watch - January 2012 CLICK HERE to read Market Watch

How beneficial is a Realtor's help?

Mary Lowry Smith — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:49:00 GMT

Thre are some good point made in this short videa:

http://www.mristv.com/2012/01/what-is-the-value-of-a-real-estate-pro/

10 Home Winterizing Tips

Mary Lowry Smith — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:49:00 GMT

Those of us living in the DC Metropolitan area got a reminder yesterday that although our winter has been mild so far, heavier weather is on the way. Here are some good practical tips from an Inman News ariticle I hope you'll enjoy:

Click HERE to read the entire article

It's never too early to get ready for Tax Time

Mary Lowry Smith — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:19:00 GMT

Here's a link to an informative article about some tax deductions that will be expiring soon. Don't miss out!

CLICK HERE to read the article

Coldwell Banker Market Watch - November 2011

Mary Lowry Smith — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:40:00 GMT

Check out several different markets in the Mid-Atlantic region with a click of your mouse. Be sure to scroll down for stats on properties $500K and Under.

Coldwell Banker Market Watch-November 2011 CLICK HERE to view

Special deals say Thank-you to Veterans

Mary Lowry Smith — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:42:00 GMT

Click the link for some of the discounted and free offers for veterans this Veteran's Day:

free meals and discounts

Pass them along!

Scary good news for D.C.

Mary Lowry Smith — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:12:00 GMT

Zillow 2011 Trick-or-Treat Index

Condo owners: Send a link to the article to your condo board

Mary Lowry Smith — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:29:00 GMT

New rules for FHA financing hold pitfalls for condominium officials
By Benny L. Kass

Problems sometimes arise when you don't know what questions to ask. Here are three questions you should ask your condo board:

1. What percentage of the building's apartments are currently rented (not owner-occupied)?

If more than 50% of the apartments in the building are rented, any new buyers into the building will need to put 20% down to qualify for financing.

2. What is the average percentage of owners who are 30-days or more late with condo fee payments?

If over 15% of the owners are 30-days or more late with condo fee payments, a buyer's lender will need to apply for an exception to the requirement in order to get the loan underwritten.

3. Does any one person own more than 10% of the building?

If one person owns 10% of the condominium, that will make financing even more challenging for a buyer than it already is today.

When you read Beny Kass' article, you'll understand how important the answers to these questions are to the financial health of your condominium building. If there's a problem with any area, it will make it more difficult to sell in the building and could limit sales to cash-only since financed purchases won't be possible.

Now you know so be sure to ask!

Coldwell Banker Market Watch - October 2011

Mary Lowry Smith — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:15:00 GMT

Check out the latest Market Watch with my annotations for properties $500,000 and under:

Market Watch - October 2011 Click for Market Watch

Forget the market: Buy a house

Mary Lowry Smith — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 21:15:00 GMT

Click this link to read the article from Smart Money