Our overall inventory has been leveling off since the beginning of 2009, which can be signaling that we are beginning to see that light at the end of the tunnel here at the beach. This would not only be good news for the housing sector, but our economy as a whole.

The average listing price for homes for sale in Ocean City MD was $470,356 for the week ending Jul 08, 2009, which represents a decrease of 1.4%, or $6,523, compared to the prior week.

As always, my blog will be chock full of great information having anything and everything about Ocean City, Maryland…… Fun happenings at the beach, special events, concerts, news, great restaurant scoops, sporting events and much more.

Welcome “Ocean City Maryland Talk”.  I’m excited…come and check out my “new look”. I hope you’ll find all the resources that you will need for fun times and news at the Beach!

Let the Sun Shine…oh baby… let the Sun Shine In!!!

It’s just beautiful. The ponies of Assateaque will walk right up to you on the beach. You are not supposed to feed or touch them since they are wild ponies, it’s kind of hard to resist though.

Assateaque beach does have lifeguards, so you can swim in protected areas. There is also short and long term camping facilities. Many an evening I have spent further south on the Island on the part where 4 wheel drive vehicles are allowed on the beach. Big bonfires, grills a going, music blaring and lots of friends. We have a blast.

It’s also pretty cool to drive onto the beach during the day, bring your fishing poles, all your stuff to stay for the day, and hang out until dark for bonfire time.

The quality of life here on the Eastern Shore is second to none. I am very blessed.

 SEE MORE PICTURES        VIDEO TOUR

  

Come on down to the beach. Soak up the sun, walk the boardwalk and have some great meals!  Bon appétit,

You don't have to get a ticket or a coupon to participate. Visit www.OceanCityRestaurantWeek.com  for more information.

Restaurant:	Address:	Phone:	Menus:	Chef:
32 Palm - Hilton Suites	3200 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-289-2525
BJ's on the Water	75th Street on the Bay, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-524-7575
Embers Restaurant	24th&Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, MD 21842	(410) 289-3322 (888) 436-2377
Fresco's Fine Dining	82nd St. on the Bay, Ocean City, MD 21842	410.524.8202		Pino Tomasello
Galaxy 66 Bar & Grille	66th Street & Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-723-6762
Happy Jack Pancake House	25th & Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842	(410) 289-7377
Harpoon Hanna's Restaurant & Tiki Bar Make A Reservation Now.	142nd Street on the Bay, Ocean City, MD 21842	800-227-0525
Harrison's Harbor Watch Restaurant & Raw Bar	Boardwalk South Overlooking the Inlet, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-289-5121
Hemingway's at the Coral Reef	Located in the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites - 17th St. & Ocean, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-289-2612		Ron Brobst
Horizons Oceanfront Restaurant - Clarion Resort Hotel	101st Street on the beach, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-524-3535 800-638-2100		Alain Carrette & Robert Bedell
J/R's Ribs	locations at 62nd Street & 131st Street, Ocean City, MD 21842	(410) 524-7427 and 250-3100
Jules Restaurant	118th Street & Coastal Hwy in the Food Lion Plaza, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-524-3396		Julius Adam Sanders
Macky's Bayside Bar & Grill	54th & Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-723-5565		Michael
Marlin Moon Grille	12806 Ocean Gateway - in the Francis Scott Key Main Lodge, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-213-1618 1-866-213-DINE		Gary Beach
Olive Tree Restaurant	127th Street & Coastal Hwy beside Holiday Inn Express, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-250-8008		The Olive Tree Family
Phillips By The Sea Restaurant	1301 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-289-9121 800-492-5834
Phillips Crab House	2004 Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, MD 21842	410-289-6821 800-549-2722
Phillips Seafood House	141st Street & Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-250-1200
Reflections Restaurant	6600 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-524-5252 800-837-3588
Ristorante Antipasti	31st & Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-289-4588		Fausto DiCarlo
Seacrets	49th & the Bay, Ocean City, MD 21842	(410) 524-4900
Season's in The Carousel	11700 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD 21842	(410) 524-1000 (800) 641-0011
Sunset Grille	12933 Sunset Avenue West Ocean City, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-213-8110
The Bonfire Restaurant	71st St. & Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842	410-524-7171
The Hobbit Restaurant	81st Street overlooking the Bay, Ocean City , MD 21842	410-524-8100
The Shark on the Harbor	12924 Sunset Ave. (on the commercial fishing harbor), Ocean City, MD 21842	410-213-0924

Legend:
	- dinner menu available
	- lunch menu available
	- brunch menu available
	- menu available for an extended period of time
	- wine flight available
	- entertainment available

Did you know that we celebrate Memorial Day as a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.  In contrast, Veteran’s Day honors all who have served.  1.1 million Americans have died in all the nation’s wars.

At Arlington National Cemetery, three unknown servicemen are buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Memorial Day is observed with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb, which is guarded by the U.S. Army 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3:00pm local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

We can not forget the importance and significance of these events. So many have given their lives to protect the freedom and liberty that we have as U.S. citizens.

A note (or promissory note) is a where a party agrees to pay a certain sum of money to another party. The note spells out the terms of repayment. In a real estate transaction, it is usually the buyer agreeing to make predetermined payments on a monthly basis to the lender.  Many do not realize that the note has nothing to do with the property they are buying. A note can exist without any collateral. If the party borrowing the money does not pay as specified under the terms of the note, the lender can sue for breaching the contract.

There are differences between a mortgage and a deed of trust. I am going to talk about a mortgage. A mortgage is giving the lender an interest in the property that you are buying.  A mortgage is linked to the debt created by the note, although it is not a promise to pay.  It really isn’t a promise to do anything. It gives the lender the right to take the property back if the borrower defaults and doesn’t pay according to the agreements made in the note.

The key differences are that a note is signed by the person or people who agree to pay the debt.  The mortgage is signed by those who own the property being mortgaged.  In most residential real estate transactions, the signers are the same. This differs in many commercial transfers.

The mortgage is recorded in the seat of the county or city government and becomes public record. The note does not. The note is held by the lender.

A big difference you will notice at the settlement table is that the mortgage is a very long document with many pages, and a note is a much smaller agreement with far less pages.

Thank you to Mid-Atlantic Settlement Services for their ongoing source of references to assist buyers, sellers, real estate agents and mortgage loan professionals with accurate information.

I am always curious how individuals in different walks of life utilize things. Anything…from a new lawn mower to a great new wok that they are finding exciting recipes for, to a super high end stereo system, to a not so little tiny application called Twitter.

I had lunch the other day with our oldest son, and he brought a friend of his. This young man is a newly minted medical doctor. He’s extremely intelligent, motivated and who I would consider to be a very savvy individual.  He has a cell phone and a computer. Interestingly enough in the course of our conversation, he asked me the question, “So what is Twitter? And why is everyone talking about it”?

Now I am no expert, and just because I occasionally chime in with a tweet or two, I really don’t consider myself that well versed. But I gave it a go to explain the Twitter mania.

I gave him the Wikipedia definition of Twitter… free social networking and micro blogging service that enables its users’ to send and receive updates from each other known as Tweets.

He looked at me kind of strangely and said why would you want to do that? Well, I said, you might what to know what your friends are doing without calling them. You probably have friends/family and business associates all over the world, and would want to know what they are doing, stay in touch with them, or ask them for their help or advice.  

Twitter is like asking someone what are you doing right now, and in 140 characters or less you get an answer. Or you tell those that matter to you what you are doing right now. I told him if you sign up for Twitter, you will see that Twitter posts look a lot like blogs, but with very little content in the message, so it makes it easy and quick to stay in touch. 

Each page is personal and has updates from your chosen friends.  You can look up to see who you know is using Twitter, and then you can “follow” their updates to see what is happening in their day to day life.  I told him that you find out fun facts about others. Like your buddy in Maryland is reading this great new book, or your old college roommate who moved to Virginia is now getting married, and so on. 

For business, I told him, I use Twitter to talk about my latest new listings and blog posts, and easily interact with my customers.  Staying in touch and communicating with those that I work with is critical, and my clients love the personal interaction.

He scratched his head, looked at me quizzically, and said, “I think I am beginning to get it”.  I smiled to myself. I was happy I was able to help him understand “What is Twitter”….. 

Then I said, “Now if you want to Follow Me on Twitter, just click on this link and you will receive my updates”.   J 

The rates for a 20% down condominium are about 1/4% higher than the best rate a lender will offer.   The 10% down option is about 1% higher in rate, but this has the PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) built in so they have no PMI, just a higher rate. This allows it to be tax deductible. All of these are for conforming loan amounts up to a $417,000.  Anything higher is a jumbo loan and will always require 20% down.

Clear as mud???  Call or email me anytime and I’ll answer any questions that you may have.

UNCW Surf Team Wins NSSA Easterns 

Over the weekend, the UNCW Surf Club's team took home first place in the College Team event at the NSSA East Coast Championships in Sebastian Inlet, FL. Two members of the team also took top honors in the College Men's division, Mike Powell (1) and Ian Tighlman (2). Local Kure Beach standout and UNCW team logger, Drake Courie also placed 6th in the Open Longboard division.

The team's efforts are to be commended and a special acknowledgement should be made to the team's coach, Dr. Dylan McNamara, who developed, motivated, and inspired the team to achieve this momentous victory. By winning Easterns, the team is well placed to receive an invitation to the NSSA National Championships early this summer in California.

The team is going to need lots of help to make it to Nationals, so if you're interested in donating to help the team please CLICK HERE for more information. 

This team is loaded with amazing talent and character so let's show the left coasters how it's done!

I’ll preface this with saying I am not a tax accountant, and I ascertained this information from the ever wonderful real estate resource REALTOR.ORG.

The tax deductions you are eligible to take for mortgage interest and property taxes greatly increase the overwhelming financial benefits of owning real estate.

Let’s do some math.

Assume:

$12,577 = TOTAL DEDUCTION

Than, you have to multiply your total deduction by your tax rate.

For example, at a 28% tax rate:  12,577 x 28% = $3,521.56

$3,521.56 = AMOUNT YOU HAVE LOWERED YOUR FEDERAL INCOME TAX (at 28% rate).

Keep in mind – your mortgage interest may not be deductible on loans over $1.1 million. Also, deduction amounts are decreased when your total income reaches a certain level.

1.    Definitely know what you can afford.  In a primary home purchase generally you can afford a property equal in value between two and three times your gross income. This ratio changes if you are looking at a 2nd home or an investment property.

2.    Put together a wish list.  From there you should begin to prioritize the features on your list.

3.    Decide where you want to live. If it is a primary home you will want to consider school system, employment, proximity to shopping, recreational facilities, etc.  If it is a 2nd home, where do you think you would like your get away place to be?  If it is an investment property, think about what kind of income that property will generate.

4.    Make sure you have enough money…start saving.  You need to figure out your down payment and your closing costs necessary to settle on the property. Remember to factor in real estate taxes, and any homeowner’s or condominium fees.

5.    You have to have good credit.  Always, always pay your bills on time. It is a good idea to obtain a copy of your credit report and to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately. A credit report provides a history of your credit, bad debts, and any late payments.

6.    Know how much of a mortgage that you will qualify for.  Explore different mortgage options – such as 30 year or 15 year fixed mortgages or ARM’s and decide what’s best for you.

7.    Talk to a lender and get preapproved.  Organize your financial information and speak with a qualified lender. The lender will assist you with the amount you are qualified to purchase and prepare a pre-approval letter for you. This letter is invaluable as you prepare to make an offer on a property that you wish to purchase.

8.    Don’t have enough cash to put down?  Explore the alternatives. Maybe you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment assistance programs. Check with your local and state government on down payment assistance programs for first time buyers. Or, did you know if you have an IRA account, you can use the money you’ve saved to buy your first home without paying a penalty for early withdrawal?

9.    Know what it is going to cost you every month to keep your property.  Include property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and any association fees.

10.   Contact a REALTOR.  Find an experienced REALTOR who can help guide you through the process.

Thank you to REALTOR.org  for their wonderful information.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/954474/Parrot-Head-Club-Ocean-City-Marylands-Mardi-Gras-King-and-Queen

#105 OCEANWALK CONDOMINIUM - 118th St on the Ocean
Direct oceanfront 1st floor unit at the Oceanwalk Condominiums. Walk right off your tiled balcony and hit the beach. Sellers are providing a 1-year home warranty. Very well maintained condo and building...low condo fees never rented. You can hear and see waves from this inexpensive oceanfront condo. Electric storm shutters already installed.

Offered at $259,900

VIEW THE VIDEO TOUR

 

#409 ATLANTIS CONDOMINIUM - 103rd St on the Ocean
Beautiful 2BR/2BA oceanfront condo w/excellent low floor location at the Atlantis. Many upgrades throughout. Tiled oceanfront balcony with a
built-in breakfast bar. Enlarged 2nd bath to include walk-in shower. Full size washer&dryer. Atlantis has on-site security, in-house management
& Olympic sized outdoor pool. Basic cable is included in the condo fee. Seller is partcipating in 1031 tax deferred exchange at no cost to the buyer.

Offered at $310,000

VIEW THE VIDEO TOUR

Call or E-mail KEVIN & MONICA MCNAMARA for more information today! 
877-480-7653 / MonicaC@Ocean-CitySales.com

So you are in the market for a house and you’re thinking of buying “short sale” but heard horror stories from your friends or your brother-in-law who took a real estate course three years ago and knows it all.  But what do you really know about short sales and how it affects you as a buyer?

The reality is if you go in knowing what to expect and armed with a competent Realtor who understands short sales, you will be fine.  If not, expect frustrations and if the deal does eventually close, you will feel like you earned a medal of valor at the end of the settlement process!

Let’s start by defining the term “Short Sale”.  It is a sale of a property where seller owes the lender(s) more money than what it’s worth, and lender agrees to accept less money than what they are owed (short pay-off).  Anytime a sale takes place under those conditions, it is considered a “Short Sale” transaction. As you may have guessed, the term “short’ in short sale comes from the seller’s pay-off to their lender being short on money. 

So why would a lender ever accept less money than what they’re owed?  Well it all comes down to the “bottom line”; if the lender thinks they can lose less money by foreclosing on a property and selling it at an auction, that’s what they will do.  But if they think they will lose less money by granting a short sale, they will go that route.  It all comes own to what’s in the lender’s best interest.  Often times what’s in the lender’s best interest happens to be in the best interest of the seller, that’s when you as a buyer can make this process worthwhile for you.

So how does this work?  First you find a property you’re interested in with your Realtor and then you make an offer, also known as “writing a contract”.  If seller accepts your offer or counter-offer, the contract is then known to be “ratified”.  The seller will have to accept your offer but make this acceptance “subject to third-party/lender approval”, meaning the lender to whom seller owes money has to now agree to the terms of the contract ratified by you and the seller.

By this time, the Realtor representing the seller should have assisted the seller in submitting an application for a short sale approval to the lender, known as a “package”. This package is going to include all of the seller’s financial information, a letter explaining why a short sale is necessary, known as a “hardship letter”, and of course a copy of the ratified contract, as well as other documents justifying the seller’s request.

If the seller has more than one loan on the property, a package has to go to each lender for consideration.  This is where you have to be patient because the lender has a lot of homework to do here.  Remember, the seller is asking the lender to accept less money than what they are owed, in some cases it is a substantial amount of money.  If that was your money, wouldn’t you want to take your time and give this careful consideration?  This process can take anywhere from 3 to 10 weeks, often times longer.  But eventually, the lender will come back with an answer:  1. Yes,    2. No,  or  3. We want more money.

Whatever the lender’s answer is, as a buyer you are affected by it.  If the answer is yes, then you go to settlement and all is well (of course that’s relative!).  If the answer is No, you have no deal and you need to start all over again with another property.  If the answer is lender wants more money, this is where it gets a little interesting.  At this point, your experienced Realtor will really shine.  Perhaps you can offer a little more money for the property, provided of course you were getting a good deal from the start.  Or instead of offering more money you offer to make a lump-sum payment directly to the lender on behalf of the seller.  There are many ways to get around the “we want more money” answer and again, your Realtor can assist here.

So is all this really worth it?  It can be with the right property and the right seller and the right lender.  Often times the lender may agree to accept an amount below the appraised value if the seller is willing to pay back some of the money he owes outside of  your transaction (personal unsecured note). 

Don’t forget that you as a buyer will get “clean” title to the property and of course don’t even think about buying a short sale without a title insurance owner’s policy.  In fact, don’t think about ever buying any property without a title insurance owner’s policy but that’s a future article.

So what’s the bottom line on all this?  Short Sales can be frustrating if you are not educated or if you don’t have a Realtor who can help you.  But with the right information and representation, a short sale transaction can be very rewarding on many levels to all parties involved.

Thank you Susan Lloyd from Mid Atlantic Settlement Services.

   VIDEO TOUR  
VIEW MORE DETAILS & PRICING  
ADDITIONAL BEACH PROPERTIES

Offered at $389,900.  For more information or for a personal tour, please call KEVIN or MONICA MCNAMARA today - 877-480-7653.  Visit our website at www.Ocean-CitySales.com

We all agree that buyers and sellers need to understand this process.  But this process is changing daily because of the crisis we have experienced in the banking industry.  Sellers must know when they list their property for sale that the master association for their property must also qualify in order for a buyer to be able to get a loan.  The Rules and Regulations, By-Laws, budgets, insurance policies, everything, are subject to review by lending underwriters.  Many loans are not getting made because of deficiencies within the association. Think about this, you are trying to sell your property in a difficult market. Your real estate agent finds a financially qualified purchaser for your property. The buyer applies for a loan (note – it doesn’t matter if they put a very large down payment – the building will still have to qualify), the lender begins reviewing all of the condominium paperwork and Fannie Mae is looking for 100% replacement cost on their master insurance premium, and the building only has 80%....the loan will be denied.  You, as a seller, have to insist that your board of directors know about these things and take the adequate measures to insure that you will be able to effectively resell your property. Otherwise, the value of your unit, and every other one in the building will go down.  This is just one example of why a building could be turned down as  “qualified”.  The list of reasons goes on and on and it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

As a buyer, you need to know that most large institutional lenders can not make a loan on a condominium. They don’t portfolio their loans. They want to sell their loans, and the underwriting standards are so strict, in many circumstances, they can not sell these loans, so they will deny financing. Here’s a biggie that a buyer needs to understand.  When you see an advertisement for a very low  interest rate..…if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are so many variables that are now used to determine the interest rate that a borrower is ultimately given.  These variables extend beyond the credit worthiness of the purchaser.  They extend to “what” the purchaser is buying. What you are buying will directly affect the interest rate you receive. Yet many lenders will not tell you that up front. They will tell you they can do the loan. You will get through the whole process, have invested time and money, and in some cases only days before the final settlement, the lender will tell you that underwriting turned your loan down based upon, again, qualifying factors relative to the property that you are buying.

Sound confusing… yes, it is. Here are some more questions that should all be discussed up front.

Common appraisal questions:

How far back are comparable sales being accepted?
Does the appraiser use “pending sales” data for his appraisal?
What if there are no comparable sales in the building? How does the appraiser make adjustments?
Does the appraiser address market conditions on the appraisal?
Are adjustments made for distress sales? (Short sales and foreclosures).
Will a local appraiser do my appraisal, or will someone who is not familiar with my local market be used by this bank?
How long will it take to do my appraisal?

Common Lender Questions:

How much down payment is required for a primary home? Secondary home? Investment property?
Are there investor loans available?
How is the interest rate affected with investor loans?
What constitutes an investor loan?
What are your predictions for interest rates?
How important is my credit score?
Can loans be secured for condos that have some time share in the project?
Can rental income be used to qualify?
Is there a list of Fannie Mae approved properties?
Will you require the full set of documents from the Condominium/Homeowner’s Association?
How do you determine which appraiser you will use?
Is full insurance replacement cost available for the property I am looking to purchase?
What is the effect if there is pending litigation within the project I am considering?
What if several owners in the building are delinquent on their dues? Will that affect my loan?

I am sure I have raised more questions then answers here. Our local group is going to work together to get these answers. We want to educate our sellers, buyers, condominium and homeowner’s associations, and management companies for these groups. We want the value of your property to be maintained, and all these factors, and more, are critical in achieving these goals.

I chatted briefly with Lou Schneider, a home inspector with Home Seal Services. www.HomeSealServices.com

I asked him what are some common issues that arise in our area regarding the home inspection process. 

Listen in for Lou’s answer

We all strive to find ways to make our lives less stressful  as we go through our day to day activities.  You could be looking at a bit more then a little complicated if you enter a transaction as the buyer of property owned by a bank.  You need to know many things before you enter into a contract to purchase.

http://masettlement.blogspot.com/2009/01/reo-transaction-red-flags.html  Is a must read for those considering making such a decision.

Ocean City, Maryland

    * Business Opportunity
   (includes furniture, fixtures & equipment)
    * Thriving Existing Spa & Salon Business
    * 4200+/- Sq Ft  to include:
    -7 Cutting Stations
    -4 Pedispas

    -3 Nail Stations

    -6 Massage Treatments Rooms

    -Employee Lunch Room

    -3 Laundry Rooms

    -4 Restrooms

    -Reception Lounge Area

    -Ample Space for Retail Sales
    -Honor Existing Lease @ approx $7,000/mo + CAM

    LOCATION !  LOCATION !  LOCATION !
    This location has been a prosperous salon & spa for
    over 10 years.  Established clientele.

If you are looking at property that is held in a condominium regime, it is essential that the entire building, and their Rules, Regulations, By Laws, etc.  have been approved by the lender.  Most lenders will sell the loans they make on the secondary mortgage market (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac), and if the condominium documents have not been reviewed and approved, lenders will deny these loans based on the building, and not the credit worthiness of the borrower.

You need to work with an agent who understands the condominium market, and who can assist you with your financing. Many buyers have found they have gotten very deep into the buying process, to later learn that they can not obtain the loan they were looking for due to the condominium regime and how their By-Laws were written.

In Ocean City, Maryland, there is a list of pre-approved buildings that will meet Fannie and Freddie guidelines.  That doesn’t mean that you can not get a loan in a building that is not on the list, however, you need to work with someone who knows how to make that loan work.

This is unbelievably cheap money. With sales prices at historic lows, now coupled with low, low interest rates, now is the time to buy.  You can buy a 2nd home at the beach in Ocean City, Maryland with as little as 10% down and possibly be looking at 30 year fixed interest rate of 4 1/2%. 

NOW is the time. We have no idea how long these rates may last, so I encourage you to act as quickly as you can.

It's very Mom stuff, and it is that time of year to get reflective and mushy, but hey, I can't help it.

I hope that you enjoy meeting my family.

Merry Christmas! 

    MCNAMARA's of OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

VIEW Property Photos Here
VIRTUAL TOUR

www.Ocean-CitySales.com
www.OceanCityMdRealtyBlog.com


McNamara & Associates
410-524-6111 / 877-480-7653

Relax on your very own Direct BAYFRONT home with panoramic views of the open bay and magnificent sunset views!!! Located in popular Montego Bay Community with low--low HOA dues. The community amenities include TWO outdoor pools, outdoor tennis and miniature golf.

This waterfront home features 3-ton central air and 2.5-ton heat pump, outside storage shed, Anderson windows, kitchen designed for entertaining with extra wide breakfast bar, recessed oak kitchen cabinets and much more!  Large 10x24 bayfront deck. Private master bath with luxurious soaking garden tub. Plenty of convenient attic storage also. Large utility area. Wonderful home in popular North Ocean City community at secluded and quiet street.

SELLER, (at Seller's expense) has contracted to install a new vinyl bulkhead, a 40'x5' pier with 2 mooring piles. All new decking to be composite material. All work to include 20+ year warranty. 

For more information, please call or e-mail KEVIN&MONICA MCNAMARA today!
877-480-7653 / MonicaC@Ocean-CitySales.com
.....Offered at $529,900.....

Board the Winterfest Express and sing Christmas carols as you glide past spectacular lighted displays including the Twelve Days of Christmas and your favorite fairy tales, Jurassic Park and much more.

While in Ocean City, drive through the Tunnel of Lights at the inlet parking lot. This year's tunnel has a nautical theme.  Don't forget to see the Avenue of Trees that runs from 15th to 32nd Street on Baltimore Avenue.

Be sure to visit the beach this Holiday Season to create a lasting Holiday memory.

The festival of lights is from November 20th, 2008 - January 1, 2009.

   

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122506830024970697.html?mod=rss_opinion_main

Monica McNamara
Coldwell Banker
Ocean City, Maryland
877-480-7653

<http://www.cbmatitle.com/metroportal/countytaxrates.aspx>

The Maryland and Delaware Beaches --
Why Not Own a Part of It and Leave Your Footprints in the Sand . . .

We want you to find the perfect property to meet your needs.  It’s a major decision, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have to be FUN and exciting.

We will listen to you.  Every buyer is nervous at the beginning. Part of our job is to understand that, and help you make a fully informed decision that’s right for you and your budget. If you are buying for the first time or have purchased many times, we realize that you will count on us to work in your best interest. We can help you with a primary home,  2nd home,  a rental condominium, or an investment property.  Our whole careers have been in Ocean City and the lower Delaware beach areas, so we really know these markets. Also, we’ve been the buyer, so we know how you are feeling.

We will help you find the right property, prepare the paperwork on your behalf, negotiate the best price, and assist in getting you the best financing available. We will make your buying decision a pleasant and rewarding experience.

If we sound like the right real estate agents for you call us at 877-480-7653 or email us.  We are happy to just listen to you, and if we can help… we will be there for you. 

7 Steps to Owning Your Very Own Dream Beach Sandcastle !

Step 1 – An Overview of the Properties…Finding the right one for you.

Step 2 – Qualifying for the Mortgage

Step 3 – Making an Offer

Step 4 – Role of the Settlement Company

Step 5 – What happens before and During the Closing?

Step 6 – Oh Happy Day !

Step 7 – Then What?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 1 – An Overview of the Properties... Finding the Right One for You

Prior to us getting together we will have spoken, and have sent you emails with pictures of properties for your consideration so we can get a better understanding of what type of property you like. At our first meeting, we will go over the role of a Buyer’s Agent, and the representation it entails.

We provide each client, before we head out, printed information on the properties we will be seeing that day.  If we have not had the time to talk before hand, then this is the time to do it, together, on our computer in our office. Clients can see for themselves whether or not the criteria they have (or wish to have) actually is available.  After we have tweaked our search, we can get started. Most properties have lockboxes so we can access them.

We will also go over what it takes to present an offer, such as having a mortgage pre-qualification letter to accompany it, what our sales agreement consists of, and the other “steps to finding your Dream Beach House”.

Step 2 – Qualifying for the Mortgage

When you’re ready to make an offer on a property, a pre-qualification letter from the lender is necessary to accompany it. Therefore, it is important to start this process first, sometimes even before looking at properties. A second benefit is that the buyer will know beforehand exactly what they’re qualified to buy, what issues might need to be addressed, items that might be needed to be ready when applying for the loan, etc.

The loan officer will give you a Good Faith Estimate of the closing costs involved with the financing. There are recurring costs that you pay that are included in the monthly payment, such as property taxes, whether the property is held in a condominium regime, homeowner’s insurance, etc.  The monthly payment consists of principal, interest, taxes, and some cases insurance. It is referred to as PITI.

Step 3 – Making An Offer

Well, you’ve found the right property (or close to it…sometimes compromises have to be made), and are ready to make the offer. It shouldn’t be a scary thought because we will have done our homework.

The first thing we do is to check the comparable property sales in that neighborhood or condominium building to see if this property is priced fairly, and how it relates to others similar to it that have sold. In some cases there will not be enough that have sold. We will find out how long the property has been on the market or if there have been any price reductions during the listing period.

One thing that buyers seem to quickly find out is that they themselves become mini-appraisers. After some time looking at properties, buyers know instinctively if a house is overpriced. There is no point in the seller overpricing since it won’t appraise. Therefore, there is a smaller margin of pricing over what an actual market price would bring.

When you’re comfortable with what you will be offering, we begin to fill in the Maryland Residential Real Estate Contract of Sale. This contract has been prepared by the Maryland State Association of REALTORS, and is used for most, if not all of, the residential transactions in the state. Its content has had the input of attorneys, appraisers, loan companies, inspection companies, termite companies, and the  Real Estate Board of REALTORS, making it as fair as possible for both buyer and seller.

We go over this contract very carefully, so that it is fully understood. It will address agency, the earnest money deposit, the property description, the terms of the offering price, including financing, and the closing dare desired.  We will also review the disclosures required. You will be pleased to know that Maryland has many provisions for disclosures to protect you the buyer. 

There are provisions for lead based paint, home inspection, home warranty and any other’s we decide to include.  We will discuss who you want to settle the property for you. This is a synopsis of the terms of the contract. The contract is very long in length, and we will review everything thoroughly.

Immediately prior to closing, there is a final walk through to make sure all is as it was when inspected, or if any repairs that were requested have been completed.

Okay, now what? As a buyer’s agent, I present the contract to the seller’s agent, who in turn presents it to the seller. May we say, that because of our extensive experience in real estate, we have had a successful career based on our negotiating skills. We will definitely be working on the buyer’s behalf. You can count on it!

Now, we have an accepted offer. What’s next?  You will formally apply for your loan and we will coordinate any inspections we have called for in the contract of sale. If you have purchased a property in a condominium building, we will await the Maryland Resale Package, that will provide all of the documentation regarding the condominium association. On a resale property in Maryland, Maryland state law gives the buyer a 7 day right of rescission from the time the condominium documents are received by the purchaser.

After inspections are completed and your loan approved, we enter our next phase, the closing.

Step 4 – Role of the Settlement Company

What happens to my good faith deposit? Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage will  hold those monies in escrow until the time of settlement.  Those monies will appear as a credit on the settlement sheet to the buyer.

Deposit monies are held in an escrow account for the protection of the buyer and the seller. The buyer (via the contract) instructs the title company or settlement attorney, to disburse the purchase price only upon the satisfaction of certain prerequisites and conditions.

The seller instructs the title company or settlement attorney, to retain possession of the deed to the buyer until the seller’s requirements, including receipt of the purchase price, are met.

Both rely on the title company or settlement attorney, to carry out faithfully their mutually consistent instructions relating to the transaction and to advise them if any of their instructions are not consistent or cannot be carried out.

Escrow is important in that both can move forward separately but simultaneously in providing inspections, reports, loan commitments and funds, deeds and many other items.

Typical Instructions to the Title Company or Settlement Attorney:

·        The method by which the title company is to receive and hold the purchase price to be paid by the buyer.

·        The conditions under which a lapse or breach of purchase contract provision will terminate the closing.

·        The instruction and authorization to the title company to disburse funds for recording fees, title insurance policy, real estate commissions, and any other closing costs incurred.

·        Instructions to the title company on the payment of prior liens against the property and distribution of the net sales proceeds.

The duties of the Title Company or Settlement Attorney:

·        Performs the title search or abstract of the chain of title.

·        Receives funds from the buyer and/or any lender.

·        Prorates taxes, rents, association fees, etc.

·        Disburses funds for title insurance, recording fees, real estate commissions, lien clearance etc.

·        Prepares a final statement (Settlement Sheet or HUD 1) for each party, indicates amounts to be disbursed for services and any further amounts necessary to close.

·        Records deed and loan documents, delivers the deed to the buyer, loan documents to the lender and funds to the seller.

Step 5 – What Happens Before and During the Closing?

This is the time to be in touch with the lender to provide whatever is necessary for the final loan documents, for the seller to take care of any requested repairs, and for the lender to go through the underwriting process.

As a buyer, you will want to arrange to have the utilities transferred into your name as of the closing date.

At the Closing:  The closing is almost always done at the title company or settlement attorney’s office (an exception could be an out of state buyer or seller, in which case documents are overnighted).  Buyer and sellers and their agents will be given a settlement sheet beforehand, so there are no surprises, and the buyer will know exactly how much his cashiers check should be.  Your loan officer will have gone over the final closing costs involved with the closing as well just prior to closing.

Other closing costs will consist of the title company or settlement attorney’s fee to prepare and conduct the settlement, recording of the deed, pre-paid interest, condominium fee pro-rations (if applicable), real estate tax pro-rations and any express mailing or notary fees.

If you are not buying a property held in a condominium association where the insurance is paid for in your condo dues, the insurance premium is paid at closing.

Property taxes are prorated at the closing and the buyer is responsible for the taxes from the closing date on .  The seller receives a refund of any prepaid taxes.

Step 6 – Oh Happy Day!

Congratulations!  You have purchased your own “Dream Property At The Beach”.

We do suggest that all the papers involved with your closing be kept in one place. All receipts, important papers, and the settlement papers, etc. may be needed for your income tax preparation.

What we want to emphasize here is that the “closing” is not the end of our relationship. We’re here at this point to continue to assist you, and we want you to always stay in touch with us. 
That means, Call us!

Our goal is to make this time a FUN and rewarding experience, not a stress.

Now the Super  Big FUN begins.

Step 7 – What Next?

This is where you and your family begin to relax and enjoy all the wonderful things Ocean City has to offer. There is much to see and do.  The beach, the boardwalk, golfing, water sports, restaurants, tennis, amusements, community events, and on and on.

We will keep you updated on all the new happenings in town. You will receive a monthly newsletter from us with a calendar of events. We typically send this by email, so make sure that you have given us your email address.

You can also visit our blog site any time to get an update.  www.OceanCityMdRealtyBlog.com

We are so very happy and excited for you. You have picked a FUN place to own real estate

And please don’t forget us! We are always here to help. We would love it if you told your family and friends about us and have them visit our web site www.Ocean-CitySales.com . We’d love to help them, too!

Thank you for choosing us as your REALTORS.
Kevin & Monica McNamara


 

Monica McNamara is a Licensed REALTOR in both Maryland and Delaware. Visit Monica at her web site.  
www.Ocean-CitySales.com   

 

Maryland Blue Crabs that is….I promised all of you that commented on my article about “banging” hard crabs, that I would give you the best Maryland crab cake recipe you can possibly imagine.

This fabulous recipe comes courtesy of our best little crab cake maker in Ocean City, Maryland, Gary Beach, owner of the Marlin Moon Grille ( www.MarlinMoonGrille.com  ).  

Now the Marlin Moon Grille is this wonderful restaurant located in West Ocean City in the Francis Scott Key Motel.  You would ride right by it if you didn’t know it was there.  It’s located just off the lobby area of the motel.   You will find friendly, familiar faces waiting to serve you the “best” Eastern Shore seafood found anywhere. You are in for a treat.

 If you go often enough (which I have been known to do), they’ll see you coming in the door and have your favorite libation waiting for you.  It reminds me of the show “Cheers”…. You all remember Cheers…. your neighborhood watering hole… where everybody knows your name!

At Marlin Moon, you don’t just get the wit of a Sam Malone at the bar, or the wisecracking jokes of Rhea Pearlman, you get the best darn dinner you have ever had, and oh yes, there are great waitresses like Shelly Long and Kirstie Alley to make your meal even more enjoyable.

O.K.  I promised, courtesy of Gary Beach, here is the way to make a Maryland Eastern Shore Crab cake.

Combine:
1lb jumbo lump crabmeat
1/2 cup Panko (Japanese) bread crumbs

Mix separately:
2 eggs
1/6 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise
1 small squirt Dijon mustard
1 dash each - Worcestshire sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice
1/4 teaspon baking powder
dash of Old Bay seasoning
dash of chopped parsley flakes
dash of dry ground Colemans mustard

Slowly fold in (trying not to break up lumps) wet ingredients to Crab Meat and Panko, you can always add more!  Make into 4 equal sized cakes, and refrigerate for twenty minutes to set up.  Broil on greased baking sheet until golden brown and cooked through.

Now you can broil them or fry them… that’s your choice. One thing that is for certain, you will have the most delicious crab cake that you have ever eaten

Pull up your stool next to Norm and enjoy your crab cake!

Already we have seen stories in the Associated Press, Reuters and Brandweek.  The advertising media blitz that Coldwell Banker is generating to promote this sale is "Phenomenal".

Jim Gillespie, who is the President of Coldwell Banker, was on CNBC Power Lunch this afternoon 10/8/08.

In addition, here is a list of other interviews that Jim Gillespie conducted today alone:
**Bloomberg
**Brandweek  (M Fischer did this one)
**CBS Radio   (this syndicated interview has already hit on over 8 stations)
**CNBC  Power Lunch
**CNN Money
**KCBS Radio
**NPR
**San Diego Union Tribune
**Ventura County Star 

Also, remember that our national radio campaign starts this week.  Coldwell Banker has scheduled 60 second spots every day, through out the day,  from 10/8 through 10/17/08.

Remember the premise, sellers have reduced their prices by a minimum of 10% for 10 days from October 10 - 19. In addition, our affiliated Title Company and Mortgage Company are offering deep discounts for their services as well.

We intend to move some real estate in Ocean City Maryland!

  
 

To quote Bob Marley ...  "Everything's going to be alright" ...  Eventually.

This article published by Harvard Business School is worth reading.
It  helps to all the economic woes we have been suffering into larger context.

http://harvardbusiness.org/flatmm/hbextras/200805/recessions/ 

We at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage have kept very quiet about this ...  until NOW!  Here's why.
For 10 days only, many of our sellers have reduced their asking price by a full 10%!  That's right, a full 10%!

In addition, Coldwell Banker Home Loans, NRT Title and AHS Home Warranty will all be offering discounts to purchasers who buy during this time.

Want to know how big this is?  It's huge.  we roll out our national press release today (10.06.08) and we will ahve a home page buyout on www.HGTV.com on 10.13.08.

In Ocean City, Maryland alone, here are the numbers:

$29,716,607 Total Current List Price

"Repositioned to a Total 10 Day Sale Price of $26,247,108"

An Absolutely Amazing Total Re-Positioning of

$3,169,499

Let the fun begin at the beach !

Owner's Title Insurance

64. Deed to a purchaser from one who has previously sold or leased the same land to a third party under an unrecorded contract, where the third party is in possession of the premises.
65. Claimed prescriptive rights, not of record and not disclosed by survey.
66. Physical location of easement (underground pipe or sewer line) which does not conform with easement of record.
67. Deed to land with improvements encroaching upon land of another.
68. Incorrect survey (misstating location, dimensions, area, easements or improvements upon land).
69. "Mechanics' lien" claims (securing payment of contractors and material suppliers for improvements) which may attach without recorded notice.
70. Federal estate or state inheritance tax liens (may attach without recorded notice).
71. Pre-existing violation of subdivision mapping laws.
72. Pre-existing violation of zoning ordinances.
73. Pre-existing violation of conditions, covenants and restrictions affecting the land.
74. Post-policy forgery against the insured interest.
75. Forced removal of residential improvements due to lack of an appropriate building permit (subject to deductible).
76. Post-policy construction of improvements by a neighbor onto insured land.
77. Damage to residential structures from use of the surface of insured land for extraction or development of minerals.


**Monica McNamara is a licensed REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Ocean City, Maryland.

What is Ocean City Restaurant Week?
During this week, many spectacular restaurants will offer a special fixed-price three-course dinner menu for just $30 and/or a two-course menu for $20.

How do you take part in Restaurant Week?
No passes, tickets or coupons are required.  Instead, just visit your favorite participating restaurants throughout the week and enjoy a fabulous meal at a phenomenal price.

Come an enjoy some fabulous meals in Ocean City, Maryland:

Restaurant:	Address:	Phone:
32 Palm Hilton Suites	3200 North Baltimore Avenue	410-289-2525
BJ's on the Water	75th Street on the Bay	410-524-7575
Blue Ox Steakhouse & Raw Bar	127th Street & Coastal Hwy	410-250-6440
Bull on the Beach 94th St.	94th St. & Coastal Hwy	410-524-2455
Embers Restaurant	24th & Philadelphia Ave	410-289-3322 888-436-2377
Fresco's Fine Dining Chef:  Pino Tomasello	82nd St. on the Bay	410.524.8202
Galaxy 66 Bar & Grille	66th Street & Coastal Hwy	410-723-6762
Hemingway's at the Coral Reef Chef:  Ron Brobst	Located in the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites 17th St. & Ocean	410-289-2612
Horizons Oceanfront Restaurant Clarion Resort Hotel   Chef:  Brian Cioletti & Robert Bedell	101st Street on the Beach	410-524-3535 800-638-2100
J/R's Ribs	locations at 62nd St & 131st St	410-524-7427 410-250-3100
Jules Restaurant Chef:  Julius Adam Sanders	118th Street & Coastal Hwy in the Food Lion Plaza	410-524-3396
Marlin Moon Grille Chef:  Gary Beach	12806 Ocean Gateway Francis Scott Key Main Lodge	410-213-1618 866-213-DINE
Olive Tree Restaurant Chef:  The Olive Tree Family	127th Street & Coastal Hwy beside Holiday Inn Express	410-250-8008
Reflections Restaurant Chef:  Chris Crookston	6600 Coastal Hwy	410-524-5252 800-837-3588
Ristorante Antipasti	31st & Coastal Hwy	410-289-4588
Seacrets	49th & the Bay	410-524-4900
Sunset Grille	12933 Sunset Avenue West Ocean City	410-213-8110
The Little House of Pancakes, Ribs & Pizza	73rd St. & Coastal Hwy	410-520-0407
The Shark on the Harbor	12924 Sunset Ave. (on the commercial fishing harbor)	410-213-0924
Windows On The Bay Chef:  Kenneth Grazioso	61st Street	410-723-3463

The magnificent bay front community of Heron Harbour Isle on 120th Street in Ocean City, Maryland offers many varieties of properties for a buyer to choose from. The community has three pools. Two pools are outdoor, and one is an indoor pool. There is also a spacious club house and private recreation center. It features cardio training equipment, weights, and saunas. In addition, residents can use the club house facility to host a meeting or an event. There is a large open area and a full kitchen if an event is to be catered. Adjacent to the club house there are tennis courts.  Heron Harbour Isle is lavishly landscaped. There are beautiful fountains and hardscaping throughout the community.

The entire amenity portion of the community overlooks a 10 acre wildlife sanctuary. Herons, egrets, and a wide array of flora and fauna make this natural area a beauty to behold.

The single family home portion, Harbourside, boasts exclusive private residences, many with private boat docks. These homes range in size from 2400 square feet to 10,000 square feet.

If a townhome design is more your style you could choose “The Sanctuary”.  These multi-level properties are all on the waterfront with individual deeded boat slips. There are two designs;  a two-level 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath design; or a three-level 3 bedroom, 3 ½ bath, plus a bonus den area.

If condo living is more your style there are quite a few choices. The original condominium buildings entitled “Seascape” have one and two bedroom floor plans. Boat slips can be purchased separately.   

Harbour Club condos have a villa design with a private courtyard for each unit. They also feature 2 or 3 bedroom units. In Harbour Club you can choose from a waterfront or non-waterfront apartment.

Lastly, but definitely not the least, is Baywatch Condominiums. These lovely units are 2 or 3 bedrooms, with either waterfront or views overlooking the wildlife refuge.

Whatever your choice…you can find what you are looking for in Ocean City, Maryland at Heron Harbour Isle located on 120th Street and the Bay. 

Maryland blue crabs that is, steamed in beer with spicy  old bay seasoning... the hot and delectable hard crab is one of the best taste sensations you can possibly imagine (next to chocolate, of course).

Do you know how to bang (a.k.a. eat) crabs? Well if you don't, get yourself a sharp little knife and a crab mallet. A crab mallet sort of looks like a meat tenderizing device, but it's made of wood, and has a rounded head on the end.

Do you know how to bang (a.k.a. eat) crabs? Well if you don't, get yourself a sharp little knife and a crab mallet. A crab mallet sort of looks like a meat tenderizing device, but it's made of wood, and has a rounded head on the end.

Now let's set the scene. You should be sitting at a table that doesn't have glass on top (don't want to crack the table with your mallet). Your table needs to be covered with newspapers. That's right, spread out your newspaper on the table a few pieces thick all around. When you open up that crab, there is going to be some innards that you will want to push aside to get to the good part.

If you or your host did not steam the crabs themselves, somebody is going to come in with a large brown paper bag,
and drop its contents onto the table. Now the fun begins.

Now take that crab mallet and knife in your hand, and in the most forceful, yet gentle way that you can, open up the inside of the shell to find the hidden treasure of crabmeat contained inside. As you continue your foray into eating hard crabs, you will find there are many different styles and methods of extracting the precious meat from its shell. Now don't limit yourself, be open to many techniques. You'll eventually find what works for you best.

Here are some tips. You really only want to eat the male crab, and I'm not getting into how you tell the difference. The most succulent crabmeat is on the bottom towards the back of the crab. That's called the "backfin" meat, and it is incredible. Don't just stop with the backfin, it's all good. You can also bang away at those crab claws and find some nice juicy morsels hiding in there. Also, don't touch your eyes while you are eating those spicy crabs. If you get a little bit of old bay in those eyeballs, you are going to jump around.

Whether a novice or an experienced pro at this age old tradition, you will always love, enjoy and appreciate the blue crab. The added bonus is that you will have a heck of a good time eating ‘em with family and friends.....down the beach!

Hmmmmm.....how about an Eastern Shore crab cake? The best crab cake in Ocean City can be found at.......Another topic...another time

What an exciting and fun time in your life… you are considering buying a wonderful new home or condominium at the beach.

We will make your dream of buying a 2nd home or investment condo a reality.  We want you to have the most wonderful experience possible as you begin your journey to find the right place for you and your family. We will help you every step of the way.

Buying a home is a large important decision, and we want to answer all of your questions to help you make an informed and educated decision.

We will assist you in determining your financing capabilities, discuss the pros and cons on each and every property that you are considering, and when you are ready to take the plunge, we will be there for you.  We will negotiate the best price and terms on your behalf.

We care about our customers, and we want you to be very satisfied with the personalized service that we will always provide.

Call us at 877-490-7653 (SOLD), or email   .  Our  family would like to find your  family, the perfect home or condo at the beach.

MAGNIFICENT OCEANFRONT CONDOMINIUMS IN OCEAN CITY, MD
the CARLY E CONDOMINIUMS - DIRECT OCEANFRONT AT 63rd ST:

Just because the Summer months are over doesn't mean that the fun stops at the beach in Ocean City, MD.... 
Quite the contrary.  The weather is still mild, the crowds have thinned and a whole host of family activities are going on for you to enjoy!
Take a look at what's happening from Labor Day until the end of October.  You won't want to miss a thing!

Ocean City Calendar of Events (August through October)

August 30-31
Labor Day Weekend Concerts
N. Division St. Beach
Enjoy free concerts on the beach. Bring a blanket or chair & enjoy the holiday weekend beside the ocean. Sat. & Sun., 8 p.m. 800-OC-OCEAN (800-626-2326).
August 30: Dr. K's Motown Revue, performing all the Motown classics.
August 31: Separate Ways, the Journey tribute show.

September 2-October 31
Delmarva Needle Art Show & Competition
Julia A. Purnell Museum, 208 W. Market St.
Snow Hill
Popular exhibit of regional needle art including quilts, embroidery & more. Admission. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sun., 1-4 p.m. Claire Otterbein, 410-632-0515. www.purnellmuseum.com.

September 5
Art Exhibit Opening
502 94th St. bayside
The Art League of Ocean City presents drawings and paintings of “Cityscapes and Seascapes.” Exhibit runs through September 28. Opening reception September 5 from 5-7 p.m. with free admission and complimentary refreshments. www.artleagueofoceancity.org. 410-524-9433.

September 11-14
Delmarva Bike Week
Ocean City Area
Motorcycle industry leaders gather with more than 200 vendors & 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts for four days of rides, fun, games, contests & free concerts. Thurs.-Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Bruce Bennett. www.delmarvabikeweek.com.

September 12-14
Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show
Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay
14k, sterling jewelry, pearls, beads, loose stones, remounts, repairs & more. Admission. Fri., noon-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Barbara Haney, 804-746-7663.

September 18-19
Sandcastle Home Tour
Ocean City Area
Unique Ocean City area homes on display in this popular annual event. Thurs.& Fri. Tickets required. 410-524-9433. www.artleagueofoceancity.org.

September 18-21
Sunfest
Inlet Lot
Headline Entertainers Scheduled:
Thurs Sept 18 at 8pm The Platters, The Marvelettes, and Cornell Gunter's Coasters
ticket prices are $20, $15, & $10
Fri Sept 19 at 8pm Rodney Atkins
ticket prices are $39, $34, $30, $20
Sat Sept 20 at 8pm The Commodores
ticket prices are $45, $40, $35, $30, $20, $15

Ocean City’s biggest & best festival. Fine art, distinctive crafts, performers on two stages & a variety of food vendors including gourmet delights & Eastern Shore specialties. Fall children’s activities include pumpkin decorating, hayrides & inflatables on the beach. Try your luck at the Adler’s Treasure Hunt. Free continuous entertainment with the exception of ticketed evening headline entertainers. Tickets available on Ticketmaster.com. 800-551-7328 or Convention Center Box Office Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.. Sunfest hours, Thurs.- Sat., 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Accommodations & Information: 800-OC-OCEAN. (800-626-2326).
Ride the bus to Sunfest by using satellite parking or West Ocean City Park & Ride. The shuttle from Park & Ride is only $1 all day & parking is free.

September 19-21
Sunfest Kite Festival
On the Beach, 1st St. – 6th St.
Bring the family & let your spirits soar! Enjoy three days filled with spectacular kite flying. Thousands of spectators travel to see master kite flyers from around the world showcase their aerial displays of art. Fri.-Sun., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Jay Knerr, 410-289-7855. www.kiteloft.com.

September 19-21
Berlin Fiddlers Convention
Main St., Berlin
Annual event begins Friday evening with a free concert, continues through the acoustic music competition on Saturday & ends with Sunday morning Bluegrass Gospel Jam. Also crafters & food. 410-641-4775. www.berlinmdcc.org.

September 26-27
Winefest on the Beach
Inlet Parking Lot
Wineries from across the Mid-Atlantic region. Arts & crafts, Chesapeake cuisine, live music, microbeers. Admission. Fri. & Sat., noon.-7 p.m. Chris Noke. www.winefest.com.

October 3
Family Campfire on the Beach
130th St. on the Beach
Bring your family for a night of fun with a good old-fashioned campfire. Entertainment storytelling, music & refreshments. S’mores & hot chocolate offered. Bring your beach blankets, warm clothes & the whole family for a night out on the beach. Friday. Kim Kinsey,410-250-0125.

October 4
Mid-Atlantic Symphony
Community Church at Ocean Pines, Rt. 589
Opening concert to begin exciting 2008-09 season. Admission. Saturday. Concert begins 7:30 p.m.; pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Andrea Barnes, 888-846-8600. www.midatlanticsymphony.org.

October 4
Free State Corvette Weekend
Inlet Parking Lot
A weekend of corvette enthusiasts with proceeds from event going to Maryland charities. Car Show at 9 a.m. Saturday followed by boardwalk parade later in the day. Last year over 700 cars participated in the weekend. 410-590-5630. www.freestatecorvette.com.

October 4-5
Chesapeake Celtic Festival
Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum
Snow Hill
Border Collies, music & dance on three performance areas, pipe bands, clan booths, lectures, Celtic marketplace & food court. Admission. Sat. & Sun., 11a.m.-5:30 p.m. Kathy Fisher, 410-632-2032. www.celticfest.net.

October 4-5
Coins, Currency and Treasures Coin Show
Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay
Dealers buying and selling coins and currency. Free admission. Sat., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. . www.coinbrowser.com.

October 5-12
Ocean City Restaurant Week ~ A Culinary Experience

www.oceancityrestaurantweek.com
During the week, many spectacular restaurants will offer a delicious fixed-price three course menu for just $30 and/or a two course menu for $20 (tax, gratuity and alcohol not included). No passes, tickets or coupons are required. Instead, diners may simply visit their favorite participating restaurants.

October 9-12
11th Annual Endless Summer Cruisin’
Inlet Parking Lot
Hot rod car show features more than 1,500 customs, muscle cars, classics & more. Live entertainment, vendor midway, boardwalk parades & special attractions. Admission. Thurs.-Sat., 9 a.m. -5 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Jack Hennen, 410-798-6304. www.oceancitycarshows.com.

October 10-12
Oktoberfest
Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay
Eat, drink & be merry with schnitzels, wursts & barrels of bier. Three full days of continuous entertainment including Jolly Joe & the Bavarians, the Pennsylvania Villagers, Enzian Volkstanzgruppe Dancers & more. Admission includes craft show. Fri. 11:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.- 11:30 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Mike Wicklein/Starr George. www.oceanpromotions.info. .

October 10-12
Oktoberfest Art & Craft Fair
Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay
Oktoberfest in the traditional German style is complemented by over 100 exhibitors displaying holiday items, gifts, fine art & more. Admission includes Oktoberfest. Fri., 11:30 a.m.– 6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. –6 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mike Wicklein/Starr George. www.oceanpromotions.info. .

October 11
Harbor Day at the Docks ~ a Waterfront Heritage Festival
Saturday, October 11th 10am - 5pm
Centered around the commercial fishing harbor, this event showcases Ocean City's maritime traditions of commercial and sport fishing. This free event includes seafood cooking demos, fish cleaning techniques, survival suit contests, fishtales storytelling, children's activities,live entertainment and more. For more info, 1-800-626-2326.

October 11
Fiberfest
Julia A. Purnell Museum
208 W. Market St., Snow Hill
Annual textile festival includes vendors with handcrafted items, exhibits, children’s activities, animals & more. Festival & museum admission free. Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Claire Otterbein, 410-632-0515. www.purnellmuseum.com.

October 12
Phillips Dinner Annual Seafood Dinner
21st Street and Philadelphia Ave
Ocean City
On Sunday, October 12, 2008, Shirley and Brice Phillips will host the 41st Annual Atlantic United Methodist Church Dinner at Phillips Crab House located on 21st Street and Philadelphia Ave. in Ocean City, MD. Mr. & Mrs. Phillips carry on this tradition, which was founded by Ethel Kelley, the mother of former Mayor Harry Kelley, in 1953. Mrs. Kelley, the original owner of the Beach Plaza Hotel, began the fundraising dinner over 50 years ago, donating all proceeds to Atlantic United Methodist Church.
The dinner will be served on the first level of Phillips Crab House on 21st Street and Coastal Highway. The event will be held from 1 – 7 p.m at a very reasonable cost for both adults and children. The Phillips will be serving their famous vegetable crab soup, crab imperial, baked ham, fried chicken, dessert, beverages and all of the trimmings. Take out will also be available.
The event’s proceeds are donated by the Phillips Family to Atlantic United Methodist Church.

October 24-26
Coastal Style Luxury Living Show
Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay
The luxury lifestyle of the Mid-Atlantic region is celebrated during this inaugural event featuring exhibitors from across Eastern Shore displaying and selling their goods and services. Coastal Style Magazine showcases exhibitors in fields of home décor and fine furniture, pools and spas, outdoor living and landscaping, luxury automobiles, kitchens and baths, art, home construction and renovation and many more. Special attractions throughout this three-day event include cooking competitions and demonstrations, informative seminars, antique appraisals, prize giveaways and more.
Admission. Fri., 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 410-213-9491. www.CoastalStyleMag.com.

October 25
Seaside 10 Mile & 5k Run
Ocean City
Runners from around the country enjoy this fall run through Ocean City. Complete the 10-mile race or the 5K Fun Run. Come dressed for Halloween & compete for special awards. Saturday. Both races begin at 9 a.m. 410-250-0125. 800-OC-OCEAN (800-626-2326).

October 26
Halloween Spook-out Party
Northside Park Complex, 125th St. & Bay
Participants of all ages can have a howling good time with events that include carnival games, arts & crafts, hayrides, snacks & much more. Costume contests scheduled throughout the event. Sunday. Entrance fee is one single wrapped bag of candy per child. Kim Kinsey, 410-250-0125. www.ococean.com/seandfe.html.

October 28
Julia A. Purnell’s Birthday Party
Julia A. Purnell Museum,
208 W. Market St., Snow Hill
Free admission & refreshments, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Claire Otterbein, 410-632-0515. www.purnellmuseum.com

*Event dates and times subject to change.  Please call 1 800-626-2326 to confirm events before traveling long distances and making plans.  Compiled by the Department of Tourism, Town of Ocean City, MD. 410-289-2800

We've read about some real estate brokerages that are now charging an "Inactivity Fee" to those agents that come to the office, converse with fellow sales people, drink coffee, complain about business, and hope that something drops in their lap, (Manna from the Gods).  It sounds like larger brokerage firms want to charge those agents for their lethargy.

More fuel for my campaign, eliminate the dead weight. If you are not committed and dedicated to providing top of the line service, (regardless of your profession), and caring about the individuals (real people let's call them what they are). We call them customers or clients, but they are people with needs, wants and families who depend upon them.  Take a hike if you are not there for them.

I love a big bank account as much as the next guy, but I also like to sleep at night. How well do you sleep? I guess some individuals don't have a conscience.  Unfortunately the mass majority of common men think that's the persona of a salesperson.

I would have to think that some sales people may have less of a conscience then others (God, I hate it when they equate us to "used car salesman" no offense to used car salesmen), but hey, guess what, we're not all like that, yet that perception has not come out of nowhere.

I believe good people make, or try to make, good decisions.  I like to think the cup is half full, maybe that's also known as being naive. But most times trying to be a better person always works.

I'm on a campaign to raise the level of professionalism within our industry. Join your voices with mine and together we can enact change. Licensure requirements, more stringent adherence to our Code Of Ethics, and greatly enhanced continuing education requirements, to name a few, will help to achieve that goal.

Think about sales agents that have been in the business 10, 20 years or plus, and in some states they require you do less and less to keep your license.  It's like picking your doctor because he's older and supposedly more experienced, but maybe he is not on top of his game because he's not up on the newest and best techniques available.  I want the doctor who got all A's in school, not the one with the C's and D's and still received their diploma. Now that I've thought about that, I wish they issued a medical doctor's diploma with their GPA printed really big right on the front!

A seller said to me the other day, "Can you lower your commission"?  I said, "Do you want me to do less then I have proposed to do in my Marketing  Plan to sell your property"? They always say no.  Then I ask them why do you want me to deliver the same level of service for less.  If any other professional, regardless of their career, told you that they can give you the desired outcome that you want for a certain price, or give you less then your desired outcome for a reduced price, which would you pick?  A reasonable person (I use the term reasonable loosely), would want the best.  Why are real estate practitioners any different?  I think because a lot of agents are willing to sell their soul for the almighty buck.

I keep coming back to my original platform.  Let's raise the bar.  We should all aspire to be consummate professionals in everything we do. Anything less is a sellout, and it demeans our overall strength as REALTORS.

Get on board. Start a grass roots movement in your locale. Raise the consciousness of your fellow agents, and the buying and selling public will follow. Let's all work to elevate the unfortunate negative public perception of a real estate agent.

"Golly Jeez" said my Dad when I told him I wanted to be a real estate agent.  "That's all", said my very educated, articulate father.  "Dad, I am going to be much better than what you've experienced with other real estate people". I told him I wouldn't do a half _ _ _ job, (o.K. I was young and spoke like that then). I told him I wanted to make a real productive change in the industry, and of course, I wanted to make money too.

I was always a pain. I said, "Dad remember the story you told me about the stone and the pond"?  When you throw a stone in a pond and it creates a ripple, the ripple will then get larger and larger as it spreads out -- that's where I'd like my words today to go.

If my fellow practitioners just tossed a little stone, that ripple effect would, not could, effect real productive change in our industry.

Post Script:  My thoughts and musings are dedicated to my Dad. Who, for the record, believed I could and would do whatever I said I would do. I won't disappoint him.

Monica McNamara
Coldwell Banker
Ocean City Maryland
www.Ocean-CitySales.com