Ben White MD Agent
Have you ever wondered about the crime rate in a town where you want to find a home?
Or, what the school cluster of a certain home is?
Here are the answers: http://www.crimereports.com/
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/
Crime Reports allows you to search in a CITY, TOWN, STATE, even ZIP CODE, for every form of crime that may have been committed in a specific area – even underage drinking is listed.
The added bonus is the fact that you can also view Registered Sex Offenders specific location when you have that option checked off. The report is displayed over a google map that is very interactive and allows you to scroll through the area you are searching in and click on specific listings to view more information about it.
The School site offers a number of links and options to find out what you want to know about a certain school or what school your potential home would feed into.
You must know that a real estate agent cannot legally comment on crime so this is one of the best places to research. As an agent we must also refer you to the public school site because we cannot guarantee that the cluster won’t change.
Category : Blog
Throughout the years the winter season has been looked at as a slow time for real estate, new purchases, and refinances. The cold weather, school schedule, and holidays typically deter many home buyers. Most of the buyers and sellers decide to hold off until the spring. However, tis the season, because homes are still selling at a fast pace and low interest rates continue to influence more refinances.
On the real estate side, there are a number of factors that are helping the market stay active and strong. The largest still being the tax credit for first time home buyers which was extended from November 3oth, 2009 to April 30th, 2010. For any first timers who missed out on the opportunity the initially, they now have a second chance at free money and are taking it! The credit was also expanded to include move-up/repeat buyers. The Worker, Home ownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has established a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified move-up/repeat home buyers (existing home owners) purchasing a principal residence after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010 (or purchased by June 30, 2010 with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010). Those two incentives alone are an extra push to influence buyers to make the move now, despite the season. Consequently, sellers know this and more homes are being listed. The number of foreclosures and short sales are still high too so many people want to get the good deal and tax credit.
On the lending side, the rates still remain incredibly low and attainable. Obviously that is another incentive to buy now, but it also keeps people refinancing their current loans in to more affordable loans where the lower rate will save them money on a monthly basis. Loan officers and lenders have not seen a winter like this since the housing bubble and the feeling is mutual from Realtors.
So, while usually many buyers and sellers would hold off until the spring, thus is not the case this year. Tis the season to buy or sell your home!
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Ben White — search Rockville MD homes — 240-848-3322
Category : Blog