Once again, earlier this week, Robert Shiller predicts a "30 percent decline in housing prices."Really, Robert?  Everywhere?  All of them?  Does that make sense?

Shiller's prediction leaves an important detail out of the equation.  The media loves this, too.  How about shedding a little light on it for everyone, Robert, like... "30 percent decline in housing prices in a few places"...

Quite honestly, a little bit of propoganda control could go a long way toward helping the economy.  Consider this: while some isolated spots in Florida and California are down more than 60 percent right now, the worst dozen metro areas have yet to decline as much as 20 percent.   According to authentic data from the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, home prices rose 0.6 percent from January to February.  And, in Kent County, specifically Rock Hall, it looks like prices overall are leveling out. Business has picked up a little, so it's unlikely that we're going to see fire-sale prices.

If you are selling your house right now in the Rock Hall area, then dejunk the house, the yard and the garage, paint the interior (vanilla; skip the drama); get rid of the taxidermy (unless you just want to run a stuffed critter museum for a few years) and price it competitively from the start.  Many people are not using this strategy.  The lookers are out RIGHT NOW, and they'll compare your house to the dog down the street, and you'll come out on top. 

The good news is, some people are now able to buy homes they couldn't afford a couple of years ago.  However, potential buyers are still holding out for better deals, continuing to put pressure on prices in much of the country, including in Rock Hall.

There are huge variations from county to county, even town to town, of market conditions right now.  Supply has shrunk a little in some areas, but "for-sale" signs continue to go up at a clip.  But there's MORE good news - the most recent offerings entering the market now, in Rock Hall especially, have prices based on current reality.  So we've got good inventory, good prices, and relatively low rates for financing are still available for qualified buyers.

Speaking of financing, two recent customers of mine have used Dinah Riordan at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, and are very happy with the service they received.  Dinah is familiar with the properties in Kent County and Rock Hall, which is important; give her a call and find out how much you actually can afford, and take a lot of the headache away at the very beginning of the process.  You can reach Dinah at 410-758-0066; or e-mail her, dinah.c.riordan@chase.com

Hey, see you at the wine-tasting on Sunday at the MainStay!

Sounds like an oxymoron I know, but there is a Rock Hall social life in a big way.

Just had a fabuloso omelet at BayLeaf Gourmet on Main Street, cooked perfectly like only Morris can do. Topping it off now with a cup-of-Joe at Java Rock, taking advantage of the wireless internet connection, and looking over the upcoming events I'm going to take advantage of in the small, "quiet" little town on the Bay --

To start, tomorrow night, April 25, and Friday night, April 26, small plates at the Rock Hall Yacht Club.  Lots of fun people, and breathtaking vistas to enjoy out on the deck.  Full bar, nice conversation, and a great little menu -- try the Reuben.  I'll definitely take this in on one or both nights; it's always fun.

Saturday eve, April 26, catch Nicki Parrott, singer/songwriter.  I missed that sold-out Tom Paxton concert last week;   trying to keep up with the stuff that goes on there, it's way to precious to miss!  Check out theMainstay's website for more info.

On Sunday, April 27th, a wine tasting, sponsored by JavaRock, again at the Mainstay, starting at 5 pm.  Good chance to mingle with some of the locals and not so local -- looking forward to that!

I could go on and on...but it gets a little overwhelming.  In fact, I think for now I'll head out to Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge and walk Tristan on the beach.  If you want to get in on this kind of lifestyle, call me -- the prices are GOOD right now, and the rates are, too.  I'll show you around to available properties and help you find the one to live out your dreams in.  And while you're in town looking at houses, you may as well catch a concert at the Mainstay, a coffee at BayLeaf or JavaRock,  a cocktail at the Yacht Club, or and a walk on the beach!  Check my website (link at the side) for lots of cool pictures around town, and property available for sale.

Take a look at this Davis Creek Waterview home
It's located within walking distance to Lankford Bay Marina, the famous Rock Hall Yacht Clubwhere the happy people go, and only a few minutes drive from downtown Rock Hall -- many people, when they find out where the pricing is in this area for waterfront homes, are then drawn to water view instead -- but that's hard to find.  For some reason, there just aren't many available right now.  (Could it be that once somebody owns one, they don't want to give it up?!?)

This particular home has been very tastefully renovated and restored; lots of nice features, well-done, it practically glows.  Check out the pictures at the link above.  It's got a terrific workshop and a guest quarters on the grounds, also.   And a true water view from your dining/living area, the spacious porch, and the guest house.  Offered at $625k.  

The numbers are in, and sales of existing homes increased in February, beating out the generally gloom and doom scenarios of analysts.  Existing home sales rose a surprising 2.9% to a seasonably-adjusted 5.03 million unit rate last month, up from a 4.89 pace in January.

After rising for nine consecutive months in 2007, the supply of existing homes has declined in three out of the last four months.  This suggests a much-needed improvement in the balance between homes available for sale and buyers in the market for homes.

Locally, in Rock Hall, the stepped-up buyer activity pace has been evident.  Low interest rates and favorable pricing are finally helping to thaw the winter freeze.  The window of opportunity for buying in a market with an abundant selection, combined with an attractive price and mortgage rate, is now.

For the past month or so, mortgage interest rates have been attractively low.  That, coupled with lower property prices, Rock Hall and surrounding areas have seen increased buyer activity.  However, if you are thinking about buying or refinancing, time is of the essence.  Those low rates have started to climb during the past week.  Even with possible future rate cuts on the horizon from the fed, an average fixed rate now is up to 6.38% (as of Thursday last week).  Compare that to back in January, when they were at 5.61%

What affects the mortgage rates is bonds; when mortgage backed securities fall, mortgage interest rates rise.  Rates are still favorable, to be sure; yet, with the roller-coaster type volatility right now on the markets, it's hard to tell how long they'll stay favorable.

The key is to move quickly if you're ready to buy; this is your window of opportunity.  The house you're interested in may drop a little in price between now and May, but the savings you were hoping to gain may be wiped out by the higher rate you will have to pay.  Additionally, you will risk losing the property to another buyer, because serious buyers are now beginning to make offers on attractively priced properties.

Speaking of an attractive property (and also attractively priced),  look at this sweet little duplex in Harbor Woods.  It won't last long!

Something to note, and very cool -- Kent County was chosen #1 Place to Live -- out of 1,000 rural counties across America.  This distinctive designation was given primarily because of our smart growth, farmland preservation, and land conservation efforts.  Farmland conservation benefits farmers and the rest of us as well, protecting our quality of life here in the Rock Hall area.  Check out the article here -- thanks, Marc VanPelt and Jack Heffner for the link.

Be sure to stop by the Hogans booth next Saturday at the firehouse and say HI!  It's the Rock Hall Expo, starting at 10:00, and last year it was a great success.  Hundreds of people and business converged and had a good time -- good coffee, food, door-prizes and plenty of freebies.  It's a warm and cozy event inside the state of the art Rock Hall Firehouse; you'll meet lots of neighbors and businesses, the best of Rock Hall! I'll be there -- hope I get to meet you!

If you're handy and like to work on houses, there are a lot of good deals on the market right now in the Rock Hall area.  Go to my website and check out the sweet little bungalow on lovely Skinners Neck. (And no, you don't really need tons of loose cash -- just a little time and creativity.) Skinners Neck is a wonderful neighborhood in Rock Hall.  This particular cottage is just down the street from two marinas, two public landings, and a short drive (or lovely bikeride) away from the Rock Hall Yacht Club on Piney Neck. Perfect little hangout for the weekend -- especially if you're a boater or hunter.  Actually, an owner could use it for their getaway in its present condition -- but would be happier with some updates.

Often, when people come to check out properties in Rock Hall, the Necks remain a secret.  Be sure to look at not only properties in town, but in the surrounding "Necks" -- Piney Neck, Skinners Neck, Eastern Neck -- they all have their own character, and they're all water accessible.

With interest rates set to go down again today, more homes coming onto the market competitively priced, and existing homes adjusting their previous asking prices, this may be the time that buyers have been waiting for.  Buyer's with good credit can get record-breaking rock bottom rates now.  If you're thinking about buying, don't waste time.  At some point, those rates have to inch back up again!

A good course of action is to talk to a lender now, before spinning your wheels too much looking at homes.  Get pre-qualified; this is useful for a couple of different reasons.  First, it will help you know exactly what price range you should look in -- before you go out and look and fall in love with something you can't afford.  Another plus about getting pre-qualified is that it makes your offer to a seller believable.  Often, sellers get offers that are just too good to believe, and it turns out that the buyer can't get financing even if he wants to pay top dollar.  Now that it's harder to get a loan, your offer becomes more desirable to a seller if they know you actually can get that financing, even if you're not offering the top asking price. 

If you've got good credit, can get a good deal on a loan, you've got the leverage to get a good deal on a house.

Give me a call if you're interested in buying, and I'll send you, by e-mail or snailmail, a Buyer's Report, customized to your needs, for Rock Hall, Chestertown and the surrounding areas, as well as a recommendation for a reputable lender, if you need one, who can work with you and get you pre-qualified.  Call me on my cell: 443-480-1163  - Lynn