Christmas Tree Safety Tips

Decorating is one of my favorite things of the holiday season.  Everything is so shiny and beautiful, including the Christmas tree.  According to the US Fire Administration, however, fires during the holiday season account for 400 deaths, 1650+ injuries and almost $1 billion in damages every year.  Here are a few Christmas tree safety tips to help you and your Southern Maryland home avoid becoming one of these statistics.

Choosing the Right Tree – This is the first step in preventing a fire in your Southern Maryland home.  Choose a tree that is freshly cut.  To check for freshness, make sure that the needles are green and bend easily.  Brittle needles mean that the tree is already dry.  Pick up your tree and bounce the trunk on the ground to see how many needles fall off.  There will always be a few that come off, but, if there are a lot of needles on the ground, that means the tree was cut too long ago and has begun to dry out.

Maintaining Your Tree – Keep your Christmas tree away from all heat sources (fireplaces, heating vents, portable heaters) as these will dry your tree out quickly.  Check the water reservoir every day or two to maintain the water level.  The USFA recommends that you don’t leave your tree up for longer than two weeks.  After two weeks, the potential for your Southern Maryland home to catch fire increases significantly.

Decorations – Check your holidays lights for frayed wires, broken insulation or anything else that could create a fire hazard.  Only use lab tested lights that are approved for indoor use.  Beware of overloading electrical outlets.  Use a multi-socket adapter or power strip if you need more than two outlets.  Don’t link more than three strands of lights together.  Never decorate your tree with lit candles.  Always turn lights off when you leave the house or go to bed.

Proper Tree Disposal – Dry wood and needles burn extremely quickly.  Never burn them in your fireplace or wood-burning stove.  Instead, take it to your local recycling center or check with your local garbage collection agency to see what their pickup requirements are.  All dry trees should be taken down and disposed of right away.

Artificial Trees - Look at the box to make sure it is a flame retardant tree.  Only use Christmas tree lights that are approved for indoor use.  Periodically check the lights for heat output.  Hot lights could melt the tree.

Follow these Christmas tree safety tips to make sure your family celebrates the holidays danger free.  Happy holidays, everybody!

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Southern Maryland real estate blog here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2635165/christmas-tree-safety-tips.

Christmas Begins in Southern Maryland

I know we just celebrated Halloween and Thanksgiving is just over three weeks away, but Christmas is about to begin in Calvert County and you don’t want to miss out on the fun.  You can begin helping Santa by starting the Christmas shopping early, enjoy spectacular light displays, view a fun winter wonderland up close, take a trip to Christmas past and embrace the Festival of Trees during November 2011.  Here’s a rundown of the Christmas festivities going on in and around Calvert County during November:

16th Annual Holiday Gift Bazaar – November 7, 2011-December 14, 2011, Salisbury University (Atrium Gallery, 109 Fulton Hall, Salisbury, MD and Atrium Gallery, Guerrieri University Center, Salisbury, MD), 10am-4pm.  Purchase handmade cards, posters, jewelry and much more from local artists.  Get that special one-of-a-kind gift for your loved ones and support local artists at the same time.  For more info, please call 410-548-3972 for more info.

Winterfest of Lights – November 17, 2011-January 1, 2012, Northside Park/Winterfest Village, Ocean City, MD.  Open from 5:30-9:30pm Sundays through Thursdays and 5:30pm-10:30pm Fridays and Saturdays.  In addition to the sparkling lights, drink some hot cocoa, take a ride aboard the Winterfest Express, sing fun Christmas carols and shop at the Yukon Cornelius Gift Shop.  Santa will be making an appearance every Friday evening until December 23rd to take pictures with the kids.  Cost: $5 per person ages 12+, free to kids under 12.  For more info, please call 800-626-2326.

Christmas on the Potomac – November 18, 2011-January 8, 2012, Gaylord National, 201 Waterfront St, National Harbor, MD.  Walk through the amazing ice sculpture representations of Dreamworks’ Christmas special “Merry Madagascar”.  See how the animals of “Madagascar” save Christmas.  For more info, please visit the Christmas on the Potomac website.

Festival of Trees – November 26, 2011-November 29, 2011, Tidewater Inn’s Gold Ballroom, Harrison & Dover St, Easton, MD.  Presented by the Friends of Hospice, the Festival of Trees has been the annual kick-off to the Christmas season in Easton for the last 25 years.  Decorated trees aren’t the only attraction, though.  Included in the weekend’s festivities are a fashion show, run/walk with the YMCA, Candy Cane Lane and a Daddy/Daughter dance among other things.  For more info, please call 410-819-FEST.

Victorian Christmas Celebration – November 26, 2011-December 31, 2011, Gordon Roberts House, 218 Washington St, Cumberland, MD.  Take a step back in time to the Victorian age.  Celebrate the season with concerts, carriage rides, dinner and much more.  For more info, please call 301-777-8678.

Get ready for the most wonderful time of the year because Christmas is beginning in the Calvert County area.  It’s fun for the whole family to enjoy.  Remember that it’s also a great time to buy a Calvert County home.  So, contact me when you’re ready to start looking.  I’m always happy to help!

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Southern Maryland real estate blog here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2582701/christmas-begins-in-southern-maryland.

Short Sale – The Lesser of Two Evils

In today’s economic climate, many homeowners are facing the prospect of foreclosure.  Whether it’s due to the loss of a job or spouse, other life changes or financial mismanagement, the prospect of losing your Southern Maryland home is not an easy one.  Don’t despair.  When faced with this possibility, a short sale may be the lesser of two evils.

A foreclosure is a long, expensive process wherein the bank takes back ownership of your Southern Maryland home while you are left to pack up your belongings and leave.  In some cases, a move begins with a knock on the door by a Sheriff’s officer to oversee your hasty retreat.  Your credit gets hit hard (to the tune of 100-150 points), making it difficult to secure funding for any type of loan for anywhere from 7-10 years.  For many homeowners, this means that they will not be eligible to buy another home for approximately 5-7 years, since most home loan companies don’t like seeing that you walked away from your previous home loan.

A short sale, on the other hand, is quite different.  In a short sale, you or your representative (such as an experienced real estate professional) will contact the bank, explain the circumstances for which you are unable to continue paying your current mortgage and negotiate a deal to sell your Southern Maryland home for less than the amount owed.  There is no guarantee that the mortgage company will accept a short sale, though.  While a short sale can also hit your credit hard, it is significantly less than a foreclosure.  Most banks will report your mortgage loan as being paid in full for less than agreed (similar to a charge off).  However, if you keep your credit in good standing for the next two years, you could be eligible to purchase another home at that time.

Before you make a decision about whether to walk away from your Southern Maryland home or try sell it in a short sale, contact a professional financial advisor or foreclosure specialist about which option would work best for your situation.  In the case of a foreclosure and a short sale, the short sale is definitely the lesser of two evils.  This can be a difficult and stressful time no matter which way you go.  Try to remain calm and remember that this too shall pass.

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Active Rain blog here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2539976/short-sale-the-lesser-of-two-evils.

Being Prepared for a Calvert County Storm

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and the continued crazy weather we’ve had here on the Eastern Seaboard, many homes in Calvert County (as well as others across the state) were left without power.  Irene may have passed through the area, but that doesn’t mean that we should not be prepared for the possibility of other major storms headed our way.  After all, I believe the Boy Scouts have it right: always be prepared.  So, here are a few tips on being prepared for a Calvert County storm:

• Emergency Kits – You really should keep two emergency kits handy: one for the car and one for your Calvert County home.  In these emergency kits should be at least 3-5 days worth of clothes, food and water for each of your family members, extra prescription medication, glasses (if necessary), handheld radio with fresh batteries, basic first aid kit, waterproof matches, candles and warm blankets.  You can pick up MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) at army surplus stores.  These are complete meals that have an extensive shelf-life.  They can be eaten cold but really taste better after they are warmed up.  They are also completely self-contained, which makes them perfect for an emergency kit.  Keep all these materials in a container that is easy to grab and go (like a backpack or Rubbermaid storage bin).  That way, if you have to get out in a hurry, you don’t have to fumble around to find what you need.
• Make an Emergency Plan – Put together an emergency plan with your family and practice it.  Designate a specific relative or close family friend located well outside of your area to call in case your family is separated during an emergency.  Make sure everyone knows the phone number(s) of this person and how to get in touch with them.  When separated, each group should check in with the designated contact person to let them know where they are so they can then let the rest of your family know. 
• Don’t Forget the Pets – Make sure you have enough food and water for 3-5 days for your pets.  If your pet is on special medication, keep some extra in your pet’s emergency kit.  You don’t want to have to add worrying about a sick animal to your list of concerns during an emergency.
• Safekeeping of Important Documents – Whether they’re personal, financial or medical, keeping important documents safe is a must.  Purchase a waterproof, portable container to keep them in.  Keep the container in a place that is easy for you to get to so you can grab it when you have to make a quick getaway.  It’s also smart to make copies and keep them in a safety deposit box, if possible, as a backup.  You can also purchase a USB flash drive from any office supplies store that will store all the info from your computer in a handy, portable unit so you can take your computer information with you wherever you go, even if you can’t take the computer itself.  Keep copies of all your insurance information as well as a complete inventory of your household items with your important documents.  You may need this if you have to deal with your insurance company later.
• Fuel Up – Always keep your car fueled up and go over evacuation plans with your family on a regular basis.  The more you practice, the better prepared you will be when an emergency happens.
• Be Alert for Alerts – Pay attention to the emergency alerts given during over the radio and TV.  When an evacuation of your Calvert County neighborhood is recommended, don’t ignore it.  Things can be replaced.  People can’t.  Your safety and the safety of your family is much more important than your “stuff”.  Also, listen for where to go in case of an emergency.

Being prepared for a Calvert County storm just makes good sense.  But, storms aren’t the only emergencies to be prepared for.  These tips and a bit of practice will help keep you and your family safe in case of an emergency of any kind that happens in Calvert County.

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Active Rain blog here: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2493034/being-prepared-for-a-calvert-county-storm.

Recycling in Annapolis

It seems that everybody nowadays is trying to be more environmentally conscious.  Recycling in Annapolis is just one of the ways to do that.  Recently, Mayor Joshua J Cohen added 18 new public recycling containers around Annapolis in an effort to encourage recycling efforts by the citizens of and visitors to our beautiful city as part of his Clean & Green initiative.

Right now, there are a total of 21 recycling containers placed throughout the downtown Annapolis area: along Main Street, Susan Campbell Park and both inside and outside the Market House.  This didn’t cost the taxpayers any extra money to implement, either.  Thanks to the rebate money received through Annapolis’ curbside recycling program, the City was able to buy eight brand new recycling bins.  The other 10 were refurbished.  Collection of materials left in the recycling bins will be handled by the current staff.

Not everything can go in the public recycling bins.  The following materials are acceptable to recycle:

• Aluminum items (such as cans and foil)
• Glass
• Metal food and beverage containers
• Paper (newspaper, magazines, cardboard, paper ads)
• Plastic bags
• Plastic bottles
• Plastic utensils

The Mayor plans to add more recycling containers around the City of Annapolis as soon as funding permits.  The Department of Public Works worked closely with the Historic Preservation Commission to create recycling bins that wouldn’t compromise the aesthetic of historic Annapolis. 

Congratulations to the residents of the City of Annapolis.  It is your recycling efforts at home that have allowed the city to make it easier to recycle in public and keep Annapolis beautiful.  Keep up the good work!

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis

Do you enjoy a love of the arts?  From now through October 2011, you can attend the First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis.  As the name implies, the arts festival is held on the first Sunday of each month from 12pm to 5pm at Calvert Street and West Street in downtown Annapolis. 

The First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis combines the best of an artist’s market, street festival and an arts and crafts festival with live entertainment mixed in.  More than 100 local artists and vendors showcase their wares each month for you to view and even purchase.  Entertainment includes live music, dancers, street performers and even live theater performances.  Food vendors will be on hand to fill your belly with some tasty treats. 

Admission is absolutely free.  Free parking is available in the State Parking Garage (Calvert Street & Bladen Street).  For a small fee, you can also park closer to the event on Calvert Street, between West and Clay Streets at the Gotts Court Garage and Whitemore Garage.  If there is rain on the day of the event, call 410-741-3267 after 8am on the day of the event to make sure it has not been canceled.

Sponsors are always welcome.  If you or your company is interested in sponsoring the First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis, email them at erik@firstsundayarts.com.  Any local artist interested in setting up a booth at the monthly festival should apply online at the festival’s website.  If you’re an entertainer who wishes to perform in front of thousands of people each month, please fill out an online application for musicians or other entertainment.  Keep up to date with the latest information for each month’s festival by following them on Facebook or Twitter.

From now through October 2, 2011, downtown Annapolis will host the First Sunday Arts Festival on the first Sunday of every month.  Come down to enjoy free live entertainment, eat good food and see artwork from more than 100 local artists.

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

Calvert County Farmers Markets

Farmers markets are fantastic ways to support the local economy, reduce your carbon footprint on the earth and get wonderful fruits, vegetables, baked goods and more.  We are lucky here in Maryland to have many choices of farmers markets to choose from.  If you want the freshest of ingredients for your family’s dinner table, visit one of these fine Calvert County Farmers Markets:

TUESDAYS
Prince Frederick – Calvert Memorial Hospital (130 Hospital Rd), 3pm to 7pm until November 22, 2011.

THURSDAYS
Solomons – Solomons Riverwalk, 4pm to 8pm until November 17, 2011.

FRIDAYS
North Beach - (Chesapeake Ave & 5th St), 6pm to 9pm until October 7, 2011.

SATURDAYS
Barstow – Calvert County Fairgrounds (140 Calvert Fair Dr), 7:30am to 12pm until November 26, 2011. 

Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks for WIC and Seniors and Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) are accepted.  The FMNP was created in 1992 in an effort to add fresh fruits and vegetables to the Women, Infant and Children food program (WIC) in addition to their support in providing health care referrals and nutritional education.  The FVC was established to create a bond between farmers and our military veterans.

Visit one of these great Calvert County Farmers Markets to bring fresh food to your family’s table, support the local economy and help protect our planet from further deterioration.  Think globally by shopping locally!

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

What a Home Inspection Does/Does Not Cover

You’ve gotten your finances in order, straightened up your credit and finally saved enough money to purchase that Southern Maryland home.  You’ve searched and searched and believe you have find the perfect property to settle down in.  Now, you need a home inspection.  This is true whether the home is 50 years old or is still waiting for the paint to dry.  But, have you wondered what exactly a home inspection does and does not cover? 

What a Home Inspection Covers
According to the American Society of Home Inspections (ASHI), a standard home inspection covers the condition of the following areas of a house:

• Heating system
• Central air conditioning system (if weather permits)
• Interior plumbing
• Electrical systems
• Roof
• Attic
• Walls
• Ceiling
• Floors
• Basement
• Windows
• Doors
• Foundation
• Visible insulation
• Any structural components (such as beams)

What a Home Inspection Does Not Cover
While it is important to know what a home inspection does cover, it is equally important to know what it does not cover.  A Southern Maryland home buyer must be aware, for example, that a home inspector is only required to inspect what is visible.  That means that, if there is any debris, snow, personal property, etc, covering an area, the inspector is not required to move it in order to inspect what is behind it.  That could mean that potential problems could be missed and the inspector cannot be held liable for it.

Also, a home inspector is not required to report on possible hazardous plants or animals on the property.  This includes reporting any wood-destroying organisms, such as mold, termites, bees, ants or wasps.

Just because an inspection finds that there may be issues that will cost a buyer time and money doesn’t mean that the Southern Maryland home you have your eyes on isn’t worth purchasing.  On the contrary, the purpose of a home inspection is to give you a better idea of what you can expect once you buy the home.  Some costs can be negotiated into your contract with the seller, such as a costly roof repair.  The home inspection will allow you to determine if it is worth your time, money and effort to fix up what needs to be done.  Remember that just about all properties for sale need repairs of some kind. 

It is extremely important that you find a Southern Maryland home inspector you can trust.  That is why the ASHI recommends that you contact a licensed home inspection professional from their list.  This will help give you the peace of mind that your home inspector is professionally trained to identify potential problems in the Southern Maryland home you are interested in purchasing.  Knowing what a home inspection does and does not cover can make the difference in whether you own a piece of the American dream or have it turn into a nightmare.  Contact me for all your Southern Maryland real estate needs.

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

Freshen Up Your Outdoor Spaces on a Budget

With beautiful Spring weather headed our way, Southern Maryland residents are thinking about enjoying Mother Nature in all her glory.  It is now time to move from the sheltered indoor living of the cold winter months to the beautiful outside.  You don’t have to spend a bunch of money to spruce up your outdoor area, however.  Here are a few ways to freshen up your outdoor spaces on a budget:

Mulch – This inexpensive protective soil covering helps keep moisture in place, reduces natural soil erosion, keeps weeds at bay and provides much-needed nutrients to your shrubs and flower beds.  It can also bring a beautiful, rich color to your soil.  Spread some over the soil in your flower beds and around trees or other shrubbery and add a nice natural rock border to create a more defined, professional look to your Southern Maryland home’s landscaping.

Entryway – Set a welcoming tone for your Southern Maryland home by painting the front door.  It can be Elizabeth Arden red or a simple neutral color.  It’s your choice.  Consider changing out the doorknob.  Add an interesting door knocker.  A new welcome mat says “Come on in.  All are welcome here.”

Exterior Lighting – Brighten up your outdoor space with some decorative lighting.  Replace older fixtures with newer ones.  Add outdoor candles in the backyard for a nice ambiance and a way to keep the mosquitoes at bay.  Solar lights are available inexpensively, get charged during the daytime and forego the need for extra wiring to power them up. 

Concrete – Paint isn’t just for the front door.  Add some color to your concrete steps, driveway or even walkway by painting it.  Your local garden center or hardware store should offer advice and colors for painting your concrete.  You can be as decorative or subtle as you wish to be.

Mailbox – The often overlooked mailbox may get a little beat up.  Replacing it with a new one or even painting the old one in an interesting color can make a huge difference.

Now that Spring has sprung in Southern Maryland, we’re beginning to leave our homes to enjoy outdoor living again.  Hopefully, these ideas to freshen up your outdoor spaces on a budget will help you make the most of your time outside.  If you ever need help buying or selling a Southern Maryland home, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

What Are Closing Costs?

Finding the perfect South Maryland home and being approved for financing is just the beginning of your financial responsibilities in purchasing a home.  In addition to the cost of your mortgage, there are “closing costs”.  Are you wondering what exactly makes up closing costs?  Here’s a list of costs you need to prepare yourself for when you buy a home:

Downpayment – Experts recommend that all homebuyers provide at least 20% of the total purchase price of a home for a downpayment.  This dollar amount will vary from home to home.  For example, if you are considering purchasing a $300,000 Southern Maryland home, you should provide a downpayment of $60,000.

Home Inspection - Even if you buy a newly constructed South Maryland property, you should get a home inspection done.  Talk to your REALTOR® to make sure your offer includes a clause that will allow you back out of the deal if the home inspection indicates any major potential and costly problems.  New construction doesn’t mean that you won’t run into problems with termites, mold or other expensive issues.

Origination Fees and Points – An origination fee is the amount you pay for the lender to write up and process all the loan paperwork.  Points are an upfront amount you pay to lower your interest rate.  For each “point” you pay, your interest rate is lowered 1/8%.  This can add up to thousands of dollars in savings over the life of the home loan.

Appraisal – Lenders require that an appraisal be done before a loan will be approved to make sure that the house they are lending you the money for is worth what you are borrowing.  If a home is only worth $250,000 and the asking price is $300,000, the mortgage company will only allow you to borrow up to $250,000.  You will be responsible for coming up with the other $50,000 if you really want the home.  This is in addition to the downpayment on the home loan as well as the other closing costs.  Another benefit of the appraisal is for you to know the real market value of the Southern Maryland home you are interested in.

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) – When a borrower puts less than 20% of the purchase price down, the mortgage company will require them to purchase PMI.  This is insurance to cover the lender in case the buyer defaults on their loan.  In today’s economy, this is something that is particularly at the forefront of lenders’ minds.  If you put at least 20% down on the loan, you won’t have to pay PMI.

As you can see, the purchase price of a Southern Maryland home is only one part of the financial puzzle when it comes to buying a house.  It’s important for you to weigh the closing costs involved when deciding if you can afford to buy a home.  Please contact me if you have any questions or need help with any of your Southern Maryland real estate needs

Bonnie Augostino, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist