Deep Creek Lake Real Estate market update for November 2017:
Your Deep Creek Lake real estate update gives you a snapshot of both Garrett County stats as well as the state of Maryland for comparison.
Residential home sales in Maryland rose by 2.5 percent over 2016. That indicates a steady fall market, according to the Maryland REALTORS. For the fifth month in a row, there were steady increases. The average and median home prices rose by 1.7% and 2.6% percent respectively, as compared to the same time in 2016.
“We are encouraged by the reversal from last month, as seen in the modest climb in home sales.” said Maryland REALTORS President, Boyd Campbell. “More importantly, there has been a 4.9 percent increase in homes under contract or pending units,” Campbell added. “This heralds more active home sales through the end of the year.”Continue reading Deep Creek Lake Real Estate Market Update for November 2017
Fall Fishing Deep Creek Lake. As we shift into fall we see the lake transform into a wonderful and peaceful place where boat traffic is minimal and the weather is gorgeous. It is the time of the year that the leaves put on their yearly show and the fishing bite starts to heat up.
I was lucky enough to have my son pay us a visit for a week and we decided to maximize our time on the lake wetting a line. It has been many years since the last time we fished and we were optimistic that we would be successful in our venture. We started at Deep Creek Outfitters getting a few dozen minnows and nightcrawlers. The word on the street was that that fishing was sporadic but starting to kick in. Our plan was to wake up the following morning and to hit a spot that was recommended by a friend so we dropped our minnows into the water at the boat dock and set home to get a good night’s rest.
The alarm clock came early and was welcomed with excitement and optimism. The winds were down and the lake looked like a massive mirror reflecting the early hues of Fall. All of our minnows survived the night and the boat started without a hitch. The ride out was almost spiritual as our pontoon boat parted the beautiful lake glass. The temps were chilly but were forecasted to peak later in the day near the mid 70’s. Our “secret spot” was empty and we slowly motored down a couple hundred yards before our destination which was a grass bed near the shoreline that dropped off to around 8-12 feet of depth. We quietly set anchor and baited our minnows on our hooks and cast outside of the grass beds. We kicked back sipping coffee and enjoyed good conversation catching up on life. The lake was empty of traffic and the sound of acorns rained periodically around us. My son Peyton worked the edge of the grass beds and landed a nice Walleye to start the day which was very exciting. It was a hair shy of being of legal size to eat so we threw it back. I concentrated on working the drop off outside the grass bed and was rewarded with a couple smallmouths to start my day. It was a soothing roller coaster ride of stimulating ups and downs throughout the morning and we went through a few lake species deciding not to keep any.
The Deep Creek Lake Fall fishing experience itself was the star of the show and we promised that next trip we would concentrate on a fish fry. We caught walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and a few pickerel to complete a successful fishing adventure. As we head in to call it a day there was a majestic red tail hawk that flew by us that was breathtaking.
On your next visit bring the family or a close friend and get out on the lake with a fishing pole and enjoy some quality down time on the lake. Downshift your busy mind and breathe deeply taking advantage of what a handful of visitors experience ever year. Wonderful Fall fishing.
Trout’s House Seafood– Deep Creek Lake. So, you have been anticipating your visit to Deep Creek Lake for the entire year. Work and traffic have taken their toll on you and you have earned some well-deserved decompression time here in the beautiful mountains of Western Maryland. The lake activities have you and the family living the good life, but hidden somewhere deep in your mind is the craving for delicious seafood! You wish you were back home near your trusted seafood company so you could score some fresh crabs or maybe some sushi grade Ahi tuna. Fear not folks, I will share with you a wonderful secret here at the lake!
Trout’s House Seafood has become the go-to place for fresh seafood at DCL. Their Facebook page has a 5-star rating, which you rarely see in this business. The fresh seafood and customer service they provide have put these folks on the map! I can tell you that my family has tried everything they offer over the last two summers and have never had anything less than super fresh! They carry excellent crabs during the summer months but you need to call and reserve in advance before they run out. The Tuna is so fresh that you better cook it medium-rare/rare to maximize the experience. The salmon is like sweet butter, the Halibut is perfect broiled in lemon/butter and the bags of clams I like best in white wine sauce served over pasta. They have a pre-made crab cake that you have to try seared in an iron skillet with a little peanut oil/butter with a splash of lemon/parsley before eating. They have plenty of options with one common denominator…FRESH!!! Pay them a visit next time you are at the lake! You will not be disappointed!
Your Deep Creek spring event update includes happenings for Easter weekend and early May. It is a great time to take advantage of vacation rental specials! Come to the lake for a quick getaway and make time to look at real estate too.
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny 9am-noon at the Stone House Restaurant
Take a short drive to treat the kids to breakfast with the big bunny himself!
1st Annual Taylor-Made Easter Egg Hunt
11am at the Taylor-Made Main Office
Hop on down to Taylor-Made to hunt for eggs filled with treats. Maybe you’ll get lucky and find one of the golden eggs with a prize inside! This is a rain or shine event.
Wisp Resort Closes 2/25/17. After another wonderful season of winter sports at Wisp Resort and in lieu of the recent warm up we have experienced over the last week or so, the ski slopes are now closed for the season. The fickle season has produced plenty of epic conditions but was starting to show signs of spring periodically through-out. My guess is that with kids’ sports/activities starting for our out-of-town friends and the conditions here stalling a hair, it’s not economically feasible to keep the slopes open. That being said, I can tell you that the winter season is not over yet so make plans to keep visiting this wonderful area and experience every ounce of every season. Thanks to all the staff at Wisp Resort for making the 2016/2017 season a memorable one! Their Adventure Park will remain open on the weekends with ziplining, mountain coaster and lots more fun. We hope to see you all soon!
Deep Creek Dunk Weekend Activities. There are 5 days until Deep Creek Lake celebrates our famous Deep Creek Dunk at The Honi Bar beside Uno Chicago Grill. Temps this week are going to rival spring, peaking at 65 on Friday. Speaking with our real estate manager this morning, we are not sure if it’s going to be easier/warmer for the dunkers or if it’s going to seem colder because of warm air temps. Regardless of the temperature, the event itself is the star and is always pure fun for event participants as well as onlookers whose numbers are in the thousands. Crazy costumes and cold water are all in good fun but raising money and awareness for the Special Olympics is the real reason for this wonderful event.
The Dunk may be the star but there are plenty of first class activities that piggy back on this popular weekend. Goose Bumps and Grapes which is presented by Uno’s bar and Grill, The Honi Bar, Arrowhead Market and Co-hosted by Taylor-Made Vacations and Sales on Friday, February 24 between 6pm-9pm. For a $20 cover, you can sample delicious wines around a roaring fire with Honi’s House Band rocking the crowd starting at 9pm.
Call Betsy Holcomb @ 301-616-5022 or email her at Betsy@deepcreekvacations.com to schedule a meeting to discuss the current real estate market and available properties.
The Davisson Brothers Band, who are loved and respected by locals and visitors alike, will be playing at The Greene Turtle Restaurant from 7pm to 10pm on Saturday. Please understand that this will be the rockin’ after dunk party at the lake! Book tickets through the DBB’s Facebook page. Don’t miss it!!
After you kick up your heels with the Davisson Brothers Band, head on over to the Black Bear Tavern and check out local favorite’s, The Terah Crawford Band at 9PM. Terah and her band provide talented and entertaining music with roots right here at the Lake!
If you are sitting in your office dreaming of enjoying virgin corduroy ski slopes with your family and friends, I have one question for you…why aren’t you here?? After all, this is the time of the year when you can find the slopes with minimal traffic and fantastic conditions. I passed by Wisp Resort today on the way to work and saw two snowboarders on the first runs of Mainstreet throwing up huge rooster tails on the freshly groomed slope. Passing the lodge area confirmed my thoughts on the “crowds”. They are non-existent during the week days and manageable on the weekend. Normally we see a huge peak of traffic during the Martin Luther King Holiday and then things taper off to a steady through February leading up to the Deep Creek Dunk on 2/25. This is also a great time to look at real estate in between winter sports and making merry. Call Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales to find a last minute vacation rental home or call Betsy Holcomb at 301-616-5022 to sit down and discuss the real estate options here at the lake!
Effective 1/20/17, the Maryland Mortgage Program is offering the Maryland Mortgage Grant Assist Program.
Grant Assist offers homebuyers closing cost assistance in the form of a 4% grant of the first loan amount.
Grant funds must be used exclusively for closing costs of the mortgage loan/home purchase.
Grant funds may not be used for down payment or combined with any down payment assistance products offered by CDA.
The grant must always equal 4%; no higher or lower percentages are allowed.
If the grant exceeds closing costs the excess will be applied as a principal curtailment.
Employers, builders, developers, non-profits or other contributors may offer additional assistance; however, the Partner Match Program is not available and the assistance will not be matched by the Department.
The Fact Sheet with all details will be available on the MMP website Fact Sheet Page at: http://mmp.maryland.gov/Lenders/Pages/Fact-Sheets.aspx
Call Betsy Holcomb for more information @ 301-616-5022 or email her at Betsy@deepcreekvacations.com
Snowmobile- Locals refer to it as “sledding” and it can be a very exciting way to see the lake and surrounding areas. If you are new to the sport, take some time to learn the basics on safety. Herrington Manor State Park has trails open to the public if you have sleds and if you purchase an Off Road Vehicle Permit.
Snowshoe- Snowshoeing can be a blast with family and friends as well as a heck of a work out. Fork Run Recreational Area is a great spot to get started after a huge overnight snow. You can also check conditions on the lake and snowshoe across a safely frozen Deep Creek Lake!
Ice Skate- Wisp Resort has you covered if you want to try ice skating. It’s a little like roller blading but presents a few new fun challenges. Try ice skating with the kids next visit!
Snow Tubing- What can I say about snow tubing other than it is a blast for kids and adults alike. I took my boys 2 ½, 4, 21 and 23 last week and we had a fabulous experience! Wisp Resort Snow Tubing.
Ski- Wisp Resort is the “Little Tahoe of the East” that has a state-of-the-art snowmaking system. When conditions are good for making snow, you can have an epic experience there. Along with normal snowfall, Wisp can offer some of the best POW of the East Coast.
Snowboard- Nuff said about wonderful Wisp Resort. Bust a few airs at the snow park or shred the POW on your snow board!
Sleigh Rides- Visit the Circle R Ranch and go back in time to enjoy some off the path fun! Snuggle down under the warmth of the sleigh blanket with your friends and family to enjoy crossing through the snowy countryside. What an experience!
Ice Fishing- This is a sport I hope to do in the near future! When the lake freezes, you can see many fishing shanty’s across the lake. The productivity of winter ice fishing is famous around these parts. Here’s a link to get you started with a real-time forum.
Sledding- Grab a sled at Walmart and find you a hill to race down. Shouldn’t be hard here… Kids LOVE IT!
Cross Country Skiing- Herrington Manor & New Germany State Park have some fantastic area’s to explore! There are many other options!