Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Real estate market looking up at Deep Creek Lake. YES, this statment is proving to be true! There have been 17 residential sales thus far in 2010, with sales prices ranging anywhere from $80,000-825,000. On top of that, there are 32 additional residential properties that are under contract or pending sale with asking prices of $42,900-2,250,000. This is potentially 49 sales for the 1st quarter of 2010. Nothing to shrug off considering the low consumer confidence we’ve seen over the last 18 months.
For comparison, there were 18 home sales during the same time last year ( 1/1/09-3/1/09), 32 sales in 2008, 49 sales in 2007 and 67 sales in 2006. Our average list price to sales price ratio is still 91%, which is considerably good when looking at the nation’s averages. (Source for # of units sold: Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, MRIS)
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
Deep Creek Lakes snow dogMali Mae Holcomb Deep Creek Lake
Well, if you haven’t noticed from past blogs, it’s obvious that I’m a dog lover! When we brought our first ever French Mastiff home in May 2008, we thought our lifestyle of living between Deep Creek Lake and the beach would suit her to a tee. What we discovered, after several trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, was that Mali didn’t care for the heat, the sand or the ocean water! In fact, it was all we could do to coax her onto the beach, which made it a long day for both her and us. As evidenced by the photo above, Mali would simply plop herself down by the sand fence in hopes we would take her back to the house.
Beach dog“What chew talkin bout?”
However, when her first winter came around it was quite evident that she was a snow dog. The 2009/2010 winter at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland has given us a whopping 19′ of snow thus far. Our last big storm left Mali’s head barely above the snow when she went out to play. There was a time early this winter that she used to go off the back deck to do her business; now the steps leading off the deck are blocked by a 5′ barrier of white splendor. The photo below was taken just this weekend following her bath. Rather than dry off by the fireplace, like our terrier, she preferred to roll around in the snowdrift soaking wet!
Got you in my sightsMali Mae
A friend of mine sent me this poem today. Thought I would share…
If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him
and never say it’s not quite as good as his mother’s
..then adopt a dog.
If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour,
for as long and wherever you want …
..then adopt a dog.
If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn’t care
about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies
..then adopt a dog.
If you want someone who is content to get on your bed just to
warm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores
..then adopt a dog !
If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn’t care
if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if
every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves
you unconditionally, perpetually ..
..then adopt a dog.
BUT, on the other hand, if you want someone who will never come
when you call, ignores you totally when you come home, leaves hair
all over the place, walks all over you, runs around all night and only
comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence
is solely to ensure his happiness …
..then adopt a cat!
Now be honest, you thought I was gonna say… marry a man, didn’t you?
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite RealtorSnowmobiling Deep Creek Lake
The Maryland Park Service reminds all snowmobilers of the potential for unseen safety hazards on Deep Creek Lake, particularly at night. Starting on Wednesday, February 20th, an area of ice will be removed near Uno Chicago Grill on Garrett Highway to create open water for the Special Olympics Deep Creek Dunk. This area will remain unsafe for quite some time and will be marked with reflective traffic cones. Also be aware that lake surface conditions under bridges where road salt and abrasives are plowed from the pavement are often particularly hazardous. Other conditions that may cause unpleasant situations are unseen snowdrifts or pressure ridges that can act as ramps and cause sleds to become airborne leading to a loss of control and accidents.
Snowmobiling Deep Creek Lake
Deep Creek Lake is a part of the designated ORV trail system permitting use by registered snowmobiles only. Permits are available by mail or at any of the local State Park offices during normal business hours. Snowmobiles may operate at night if equipped with working head and taillights. Access to the lake may be made at Deep Creek Lake State Park or with permission from a private landowner with a permit site adjacent to the lake.
Ice fishermen, hikers and cross-country skiers traveling on the lake should also exercise caution. The wearing of or having readily accessible life preservers could prevent a tragedy. If you encounter people, pets or wildlife that have fallen through the ice, contact either 911 or the toll free DNR Communications number 1-800-628-9944 for assistance.
For further information on ice conditions at Deep Creek Lake, contact a ranger at the Park Headquarters office (301) 387-5563 or the Discovery Center on weekends at (301) 387-7067.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
We’ve made it through the first 36-48” we received at Deep Creek Lake this weekend and now we’re bearing down for the next 12-20” coming tonight and tomorrow. Having been housebound for a day, I was able to catch up on some market tidbits and interesting facts recently released by The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR®).
NAR® has recently released a book that outlines the buying habits of the previous year, 2009. What we have believed over the past year is now official…90% of buyers use the internet to search for real estate. Although these statistics are geared toward a primary residence homebuyer rather than a second homebuyer, the tactics are still the same for any buyer. This information is helpful in ‘moving with the market’ and adapting your business plan to meet the wishes of your target market.
47% of recent homebuyers were first-time.
21% of recent homebuyers were single women.
Typical homebuyer searched for 12 weeks and saw 12 homes before buying.
Recent sellers sold their home for 95% of asking price and 60% had reduced the price at least once.
42% of recent sellers offered incentives in terms of warranties and closing help.
Sources recent buyers used in home search: 90% internet, 87% agent, 59% yard sign.
Most frequently used sources by buyers: 76% internet, 68% agent, 24% yard sign.
“Most useful” information for buyers was found: 81% agent, 77% internet, 42% yard sign, 2% newspaper.
Buyers found the home they purchased using: 36% agent, 36% internet, 12% yard sign, 2% newspaper.
What buyers want most from real estate agents: 46% finding home, 16% negotiating terms, 13% negotiating price, 9% help with paperwork, 8% comps.
What buyers considered benefits of using an agent: 63% understand process, 53% pointing out unnoticed features/faults, 42% negotiate terms, 41% improve knowledge of search area, 41% improved list of vendors, 20% expanded buyers search area, 18% narrowed buyers search area.
Number of agents interviewed by buyer: 66% one, 19% two, 10% three.
“Most important” factors for buyer agent selection: 98% honesty/integrity, 95% knowledge of purchase process, 93% responsiveness, 92% market knowledge, 84% negotiating skills, 83% people skills.
Methods used to find agent: 40% referral, 24% used agent used previously, 5% met agent at an open house, 3% saw contact information on yard sign or open house sign, 1% calendar, magnet, etc.
“Most important” factors for listing agent selection: 22% pricing help, 21% find a buyer, 19% marketing help, 19% selling home within specific timeframe, 10% find ways to fix-up home so it will sell for more.
As always, feel free to contact me anytime concerning Deep Creek Lake or Garrett County real estate 301.616.5022. With the upcoming President’s Day holiday and the fresh powder, it’s the perfect opportunity to visit Deep Creek Lake, Maryland for a long weekend and take on Wisp Ski Resort’s 30+ trails.
Betsy Spiker Holcomb Deep Creek Lakes Favorite Realtor
The next time you are vacationing here at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland take a little time at dusk to drive around to the North side of Wisp Ski Mountain and experience some spectacular sunsets. Even during the day, the incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges span for 30-50 miles. At nighttime, the skies transform into a kaleidoscope of colors that will leave you in a spiritual calm.
Deep Creek Lake Sunset
Just a short distance from our home, we enjoy these sunsets atop Wisp Mountain on a regular basis along with our dog, Mali, who pounces us anytime the word “walk” is mentioned! This is a spectacle worth penciling on your next trip to Deep Creek Lake!!! Visit www.DeepCreekLakeProperty.com for an up-to-date calendar of Garrett County happenings.
