November Housing Update

As of November 2 in the neighborhood--
27 Homes for Sale:
--22 homes- are 3 BDRM/1bath, $253.9-$299K
--4 homes are 3BDRM/2 bath, $255K-$299K
--1 home is a 4BDRM/2 bath, $359.9

9 Homes are Under Contract:
--6 homes are 3BDRM/1 bath, $255K-$329K
--1 home is a 3BDRM/2 bath, $299.9K
--2 homes are 5BDRM, $449.9K and $354.9K

5 Homes have Sold since October 1:
--1 home is 3BDRM/1 bath, $320K (EOG)
--2 homes are 3BDRM/2 bath, $315K and $281.5
--1 home is a 4BDRM/1 bath, $315K
--1 home is a 5BDRM/2 bath, $435K
Average number of days to put a house under contract in Rodgers Forge: 37

FIRST ANNUAL YWGC YARD SALE- Saturday, October 23

Heads Up Rodgers Forge!
If you didn't have a chance to do a yard sale this summer, here is your perfect opportunity!
Saturday, October 23 9-3pm/ near Princeton Sports!
1425 Clarkview Rd in the Parking Lot just outside our office
--$10 to rent a table!
--donation truck for anything left over
--Incred-A-Shred will be there!
--cool raffles for Ravens stuff and more
--food and beverages
--It will be a fun day and a fun way to make some money and clean out your house before winter sets in.

October Housing Update

As of October 8
--27 homes for sale
20-- 3 bdrm, 1 bath; $259.9-$299.9
4-- 3bdrm, 2 bath; $269.5-$299.9
1-- 4bdrm, 2 bath; $369.5
1-- 5bdrm, 4 bath; $449.9
--10 homes under contract
5-- 3bdrm, 1 bath; $225.0-$329.0
2-- 3bdr, 2 bath; $286.9-$315.9
1-- 4bdrm, 1 bath; $320.0
2-- 5bdrm, 2 bath; $354.9-$464.0
--4 homes sold ( since September 1)
3bdrm, 1 bath; $254.5-$325.0
Average days to put a house under contract: 35 days

Mid-Year Housing Trend Report

The Baltimore metro market showed positive results this quarter after several quarters of mixed performance. Yearly statistics show a modest increase in prices since the 2nd quarter of 2009, and improvement in both volume and days on market. It is too soon to declare the Baltimore metro area housing market in recovery, but the remainder of 2010 may herald recovery.

Baltimore City: prices rose 3.2% in the 2nd quarter of 2010 from a year ago. The city’s low average sales price of $165,959 tends to contribute to volatility in percentage changes.

The Northern suburbs: prices were down slightly, by 0.5% from one year ago. The average sales price in the Northern suburbs for the 2nd quarter of 2010 is $274,825

The Southern suburbs showed an increase of 1.5% compared to the 2nd quarter of 2009. The average sales price in the Southern suburbs in the 2nd quarter is $372,205.

As a whole, Baltimore metro prices rose 0.9% from one year earlier. The ratio of inventory to sales ticked down by 0.2 months to 7.7 months during the 2nd quarter. Unit sales volume in 2nd quarter 2010 totaled 7,211 units, an increase of 21.5% over the same quarter in 2009.

Reported by MRIS

September Housing Update

As of September 5 in The Forge:

For Sale

26 Homes

--20 3bdrm, 1 bath $255-$324.5K

--2 3bdrm, 2 bath $284.5-$299.9K

--1 4bdrm, 1 bath $320K

--1 4bdr, 2 bath $369.5K

--1 5bdrm, 2 bath $479K

--1 5bdrm, 4 bath $449K

Under Contract

8 homes

--5 3bdrm, 1 bath $225-325K

--2 3bdrm, 2 bath $286.9-$315.9K

--1 4bdrm, 1 bath $289.9K

Sold

5 homes

--2 3bdrm, 1 bath $285K

--1 3bdrm, 1 bath $288.4

--1 3bdrm, 1 bath $291K

--1 4bdrm, 1 bath $277.5K

Average days to put a house under contract: 75

based on the current homes under contract

Rates remain very low in the 4% range. Houses can be settled within 30 daqys on average.

This is a very good time to consider refinancing your mortgage if you rate is 6% or above.

August Housing Update

As of August 1st in The Forge: Our market is still very active.
FOR SALE:
28 homes: $215K to $379.9K
--2 homes: 3 beds/1 bath, $289K-$319K

--18 homes:3 beds/ 1bath/1 half, $264.9K-$332K
-- 5 homes: 3 beds/2 baths, $269.5K-$349.9K
--1 homes: 4 bed/1 bath/ 1half, $289.9K
--1 home: 4 bed/2 baths, $379.9K

--1 condo: 2 bed/2 baths, $215K (Rodgers Forge Condos)
UNDER CONTRACT:
6 homes: $225K-$299.9K
--5 homes: 3 bed/1 bath/1half, $225K-$299.9K
--1 home: 4 bed/1 baths/1half, $277.5K
SOLD: Since July 1, 2010

8 homes: $225K-$524.9K
--1 home: 3 bed/1 bath, $225K

--2 homes: 3 bed/1bath/ 1 half, $279.9K-$289.9K
--2 home: 3 bed/2 baths, $256.9K-$299.9K
--1 home: 3 bed/3 baths, $299.9K

--1 home: 4 bed/3 baths, $ 389.9K
--1 home: 5 bed/3 baths/1 half, $524.9K

Average days to put a house under contract: 60 days.

April Housing Update

As of April 9 in The Forge: Note there are almost as many homes under contract as there are for sale. Our market is very, very active. The deadline for the tax credit is April 30.
FOR SALE:
24 homes: $269.9Kto $424.9K
--15 homes: 3 beds/1 bath, $269.9K-$321K
-- 4 homes: 3beds/2 baths, $289.9K-$299.9K
--1 home: 4 b/1 bath, $277.5K
--1 home: 4 bed/2 bath, $349.9K
1 home: 2 apartments (EOG), $269.9K
--1 home: 3 bed/2bath/2 halfs. $$424.9K (Rodgers Choice)
UNDER CONTRACT:
23 homes: $239K-$389K
--12 homes: 3 bed/1 bath, $$239K-$315K
--6 homes: 3 bed/2 bath, $285K--$3339K
--1 home: 3 bed/3 bath, $350K
--1 home: 4 bed/1 bath, $339K
--1 home: 5 bed/2 bath, $377K
--2 homes: 3 beds/2 baths/2 halfs, $369K-$389K (Rodgers Choice
SOLD: Since March 1, 2010--9 homes
--5 homes: 3 bed/1 bath, $281.5K-$321K
--3 homes: 3 bed/2 baths, $278K-$340K
--1 home: 4 bed/1 bath, $344.5K
Average days to put a house under contract: 72 days.

Scenario G Approved with Modifications

According to today's Towson Times, a modified version of Scenario G was approved which keeps our neighborhood relatively intact with the exception of a small group of duplexes south of Overbrook Road in the 6400 block of Pinehurst Road. As approved, this scenario will render Rodgers Forge Elementary at 93.2% capacity when the September 2010 school year opens. Click on this link to read the article. http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/105298/gselected/

March Housing Update

As of March 2 in The Forge: Note there are almost as many homes under contract as there are for sale. Our market is very active.

FOR SALE: 16 homes, $254.9Kto $363K;
--1 home is 4 bdrms/2 bath
--6 homes are 3bdrm/2 bath
--9 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath
UNDER CONTRACT: 14 homes;
--6 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath, $279K--$325K
--4 homes are 3bdrm/2 bath, $279.5K, $339K
--2 homes are 3bdrm/2 bath/2 1/2bath, $369K-389K(Rodgers Choice)
--1 home is a 4bdrm/1bath, $345K
--1 home is a 5bdrm/2 bath, $344K(inside group)
SOLD: 4 homes (Since February 1)
--2 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath; actual sold prices: $295K, $300K
--1 home is 4bdrm/1 bath; actual sold price: $320K
--1 home is a 4bdrm/2bath; actual sold price $332K

average days to put a house under contract: 66

First-Time HomeOwner Tax Credit Window is Closing

If you or someone you know in the neighborhood is thinking of making a move, now is the time! The first-time home owner tax credit window will be closed as of April 30--meaning you must have a binding contract by that date for the buyer to qualify for the $8,000 tax credit. This neighborhood is a perfect opportunity for first time homebuyers. And as of today we have 14 homes under contract, 8 of which were sold in less than a month. Buyers are out there looking for homes in Rodgers Forge. Don't miss it! And--when you buy your next home, YOU will qualify for a $6500 tax credit as long as you have signed a contract for your next home by April 30! This is a fantastic opportunity to get a break on your real estate selling costs which we don't often see in Maryland. Contact me if you have questions about the tax credit. Here is a link with more information. http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/glance.php

February Housing Update

As of February 12 in The Forge:
FOR SALE: 17 homes, $250Kto $463K;
--1 home is 5 bdrms/2 bath
--1 home is 3bdrm/2 bath/2 1/2 bath(Rodgers Choice)
--5 homes are 3bdrm/2 baths
--10 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath
UNDER CONTRACT: 12 homes;
--6 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath, $239K--$325K
--2 homes are 3bdrm/2 bath, $279.5K, $299.9K
--1 home is a 3bdrm/2 bath/2 1/2bath, $389K(Rodgers Choice)
--1 home is a 4bdrm/2bath, $339K
--1 home is a 4bdrm/1 bath,$327K
--1 home is a 5bdrm/2 bath, $344K(inside group)
SOLD: 3 homes (Since January 1)
--2 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath; actual sold prices: $295K, $305K (EOG),
--1 home is 3bdrm/2 bath/2 1/2bath; actual sold price: $325K

average days to put a house under contract: 62

Red-Shouldered Hawk Spotted in my Own Yard!

According to neighbors in the know, this is a red-shouldered hawk. There are quite a few on the Sheppard Pratt property and with all the construction over there, we are seeing more of them in the neighborhd. This is a young one--they begin nesting in February. A blue jay was taunting him. It was quite a sight. Beautiful!

Heavy Snow Can Bring Down Gutters

Some neighbors were already removing snow from porch roofs hoping to save their gutters.

Neighbors were pitching in to shovel out

Late in the afternoon along Dunkirk Road neighbors were digging out as the last snowflake fell and the sun started to peek out. Many shovels make lighter work!

Keep Property Values High--Keep our Kids Walking to School

Many neighbors attended the first open meeting about school redistricting last week at Loch Raven High School. No public comment was allowed, but we did break down into small groups and were able to give our individual as well as collective opinion on which boundary option out of 4 possible options we preferred. Option G was the one that keeps most of the Rodgers Forge neighborhood attending RFES and thus keeps our kids walking to school. Option G would render RFES at 93.18% capacity. However, many residents were agreeing that even if the school is at capacity it is acceptable if it keeps the neighborhood in tact. It is being at 150-200% over capacitiy that is unacceptable. So even if Option G were broader and covered a little more ground such as Gaywood, Rodgers Choice and the Rodgers Forge Apartments, many residents felt that the school could absorb it. Some of the other boundary options cut up the Rodgers Forge neighborhood in ways that made many residents who attended the meeting question a process that would have led to such options--especially the one that cut Rodgers Forge at the Blenheim Road boundary where chunks of Dunkirk and Murdock Roads would be separated from the rest of the neighborhood.

Mark Your Calendars! Residents are strongly encourages to attend the next meeting on January 20 at 7PM at Dumbarton Middle School. At this meeting the Boundary Committee for BCPS will review the tabulated results from the meeting that we attended last week. Committee members will make their recommendation to the School Board before its February 9 meeting. Both sessions are open to the public. A public hearing on the preferred option is scheduled for February 24, 7pm at Loch Raven High School. The Board is expected to vote on the boundary issue at their March 9 meeting. Today's Baltimore Sun has an article on the issue - http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.co.boundary10jan10,0,4661392.story