Fourth of July weekend is a blast at the lake - there's so much going on for the entire family, you'll have to draw straws!
Check out Dave Martin's Championship Rodeo!Bull and bronco riders converge at the Garrett County Fairgrounds on July 2 & 3. Dave Martin’s Championship Rodeo has quite a reputation for bringing outstanding stock and exciting and electrifying shows to more than 50 venues each year. Along with the bulls and broncos, the show may feature specialty acts, calf roping, steer wrestling and cowgirl barrel racing. If you’ve never been to a rodeo, this is a must for the whole family! Visit http://www.visitdeepcreek.com/ for a complete schedule. Don't forget your cowboy hat!
Independence Day celebrations begin on July 3rd at Broadford Recreation Area. Families can enjoy a day of swimming, boating and picnicking and fireworks at dusk. There is a nominal park entrance fee per car. The town of Accident’s homecoming on July 3rd begins at 9 am with a craft show and sale, chicken dinner, walking tour, live music, games for kids, and hayrides. Their annual homecoming parade begins at 11 am. The Drane House, the oldest known structure in Accident, was built in 1797 and is one of the few original frontier plantation homes remaining on Maryland’s tableland. For more information, visit www.visitdeepcreek.com.
On July 4th, fireworks are launched out toward Deep Creek Lake from the top of Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park at Wisp Resort. The best views are from your boat inMcHenry Cove, across the lake and at businesses along Garrett Highway, and Deep Creek Drive. In case of rain, the fireworks will launch on July 5. www.visitdeepcreek.com has all the updates!
The fourth of July is also Free Fishing Day in the state of Maryland! No license is required to fish in any of Maryland’s freshwaters for the day!
Pack a picnic, bring the family and listen to your favorite band tunes as the Garrett Community Concert Band takes the stage under the tent on the Garrett College lawn at 7:30 pm.. It’s also a perfect spot to view the fireworks display immediately following the concert.
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Your Peace of Mind
In addition to finding you the best retreat to fit your personal lifestyle, our goal at Long & Foster is to bring you the total home ownership experience. We’ve been in the business of buying and selling homes for over 40 years and have built a reputation on understanding the needs of our clients and customers. It’s one of the reasons why Long & Foster REALTORS ®, the largest privately owned real estate firm in America, is ranked as the top independently owned company for 2008 and is consistently ranked as one of the top five real estate agencies in the U.S. It’s no surprise that we are also number one in volume in western Maryland.
We provide services that go beyond the exchange of real estate. We can help with your mortgage, title, and insurance with on-premise professionals from Prosperity Mortgage, RGS Title LLC and independent agents through Long & Foster Insurance. Our resort rental management office will assess your home and provide you with income projections if you plan to put your home in Long & Foster’s Resort Rental program.
We want to make every part of your buying and selling experience as simple as possible. Our website offers up-to-date listings of all properties in Garrett County, western Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Please visit our website at www.deepcreekresort.com.
Simply put, Long & Foster REALTORS® offer you a total buying and selling experience that no one else in our area can deliver. With the strength of the Long & Foster brand and our in-house services, we hope to provide you with the peace of mind and confidence you are looking for in a real estate company.
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More Happenings This Summer!
Art in the Park, Deep Creek Lake State Park Discovery Center
Saturday, July 10: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday, July 11: 10 am to 4 pm
Over 40 artists exhibit and sell their original artwork including pottery, jewelry, photography, woodworking and more. For more information on Art in the Park, as well as the Discovery Center, visit www.discoverycenterdcl.com
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Lodge at Wisp Resort
Friday & Saturday, July 16 & 17: 7:30 pm
On Friday evening, Lawrence Loh leads the PSO in an evening of music from Broadway and movies including songs from Evita and Wicked. Then on Saturday the PSO performs a classical repertoire. The PSO is presented by GLAF. Find out more at www.artsandentertainment.org.
Friendsville Days, Friendsville
August 6 & 7
August is filled with fun for the entire family, leading with the annual Friendsville Days in Friendsville, Maryland. It’s a day of games, food, entertainment, a car show and crafts. Don’t forget to watch the parade at noon!
5th Annual Deep Creek Chili Splash, Wisp Resort
August 7
All you chili heads unite for day of music, official chili games (can you eat the hottest chili?), chili tasting and judging, prizes and giveaways! It gets hotter every year! Visit www.wispresort.com for more information.
The Garrett County Fair, Garrett County Fairgrounds, McHenry
August 7-14
County fairs are as American as apple pie and the people in just about every county across the United States show their canned tomatoes, fruit jelly's, handmade quilts and farm animals for the chance to win the blue ribbon. The Garrett County Fair is no exception - we just like to think ours is one of the best! Since agriculture is a historical part of our county and one-quarter of the county is farmland, it's no wonder our residents feel that way. This fair is one of the few in Maryland that still retains its agricultural focus and attracts over 30,000 visitors.The54th annual agricultural fair features just about everything you might expect. From the tractor pull and mud bog to four-wheel pick up pull and demolition derby, plus nightly entertainment, horse shows, amusement rides and the best fair food ever, this is one fair you shouldn't miss. Visit www.garrettcountyfair.org for a complete schedule of events and entertainment.
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Make Your Plans Now for the
6th Annual Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival!
Friday - Sunday, September 10-12.
The event, which benefits the American Red Cross, Western Potomac Chapter, begins Friday evening with wine pairing dinners at area restaurants. Saturday features the Art & Wine Festival from noon to 6 pm at the Garrett County Fairgrounds, and on Sunday, restaurants offer special brunches. The festival weekend has grown to become one of the area's most popular events. Guests have a fabulous time tasting over 200 wines from all over the country, admiring and purchasing local and regional art, enjoying live entertainment and casting their bid in the silent auction. Plus, there are lots of kids activities, including a moon bounce, balloon art, duck bobbing and lots more.
Long & Foster is a proud sponsor of the Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival and offers special lodging packages which include a $25 certificate toward the cost of one of the wine dinners, entrance ticket to the Saturday festival, unlimited wine tasting and a commemorative wine glass. Call us at 800. 336. 5303 for more information!
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This Month's Recipe: Coconut Lime Shrimp Skewers
Yield: Serves 12
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon freshly grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 can (14 oz.) coconut milk
2 pounds large shrimp (26 to 30 per lb.), peeled and deveined
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh lime wedges for squeezing
1/2 cup toasted, sweetened shredded coconut
1. In a medium bowl, combine ginger, garlic, lime zest and juice, and coconut milk. Add shrimp, tossing to coat, and chill, covered, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
2. Meanwhile, soak skewers in water. Prepare a grill for high heat (450° to 550°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 2 to 4 seconds). Push 2 or 3 shrimp onto each skewer in a "C" shape (through each end); cook, turning once, until flesh has just turned pink and is slightly charred, about 3 minutes on each side.
3. Arrange skewers on a serving platter and sprinkle evenly with salt, a squeeze of lime juice, and coconut. Serve with extra lime wedges on the side.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
What's Happening in Garrett County
June 21 - 27
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June 25 - 27th
Grantsville Days
Grantsville Park. A family weekend of continuous live entertainment, locally prepared foods, Lions chicken BBQ, parade, children's games, fireworks & more. Sponsored by the Grantsville Lions Club. 301.895.5387.
June 25
Little Yough Summer Music Festival
7 pm, Oakland Town Parking Lot/Mountain Fresh Farmers Market. Bring a lawn chair and settle in for night of summer music! This week enjyo the sounds of DC's The Arkives Reggae Band.
June 25
"Secret Country Gardens" Tour
10 am - 4 pm, various locations throughout the county. The tour is designed to encourage horticultural and environmental practices while enjoying the beauty of Garrett County. $. 301.334.3249. www.mountainlaurelgardenclub.com
June 25
2010 Whitewater Slalom Junior National Championships
ASCI. Top Junior athletes from around the country vie for National Champion. A weekend of top-notch racing and a chance to see America's next generation of Olympians.
June 26 - 27
2010 Garrett County "Win the Fight" Garrett County Gran Fondo
A celebrated tradition in Italian cycling culture, a Gran Fondo is a long distance, mass-participation cycling event - not a race - that welcomes professional, amateur and recreational cyclists of all abilities. The Garrett County Gran Fondo offers three supported ride options on Saturday, June 26 and a three-mile "Brag Ride" on Saturday.
June 26
Music at Penn Alps Concert Series
7:30 pm, Penn Alps. Clarinetist Ray McClellan & pianist Tim Shafer will perform a concert of lyrically romantic works by Weber, Saint-Saens and Brahms.
For our complete event listings, please stop by www.visitdeepcreek.com
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Mortgage Rates Drop Again
The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage dipped to 4.78 percent this week from 4.84 percent a week earlier, Freddie Mac said Thursday. It was the lowest since early December, when rates fell to a record low of 4.71 percent.
The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell this week to 4.21 percent-- the lowest level in nearly two decades.
Rates on five-year, adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 3.97 percent, up from 3.91 percent.
Rates on one-year, adjustable-rate mortgages fell from 4 percent to 3.95 percent, the lowest since May 2004.
Read the full article here
The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell this week to 4.21 percent-- the lowest level in nearly two decades.
Rates on five-year, adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 3.97 percent, up from 3.91 percent.
Rates on one-year, adjustable-rate mortgages fell from 4 percent to 3.95 percent, the lowest since May 2004.
Read the full article here
Monday, May 17, 2010
When your mortgage application is rejected
Nearly half of applicants turned down, but you can find ways to land a loan
Don't be surprised if your friendly lender, the one who invites you to sit down and apply for a mortgage, ushers you politely out the door empty-handed after you've chatted a bit.
The sudden chill isn't personal. The Mortgage Bankers Association, or MBA, in Washington, D.C., estimates that about half of all mortgage applicants are now being turned down. Though refinancing approvals remained static, the acceptance rate on mortgage applications suffered a 10 percentage-point drop, from 63 percent in the first half of 2007 to 53 percent in the first half of last year, according to mortgage data tracked semi-annually by the association. Since then, further tightening of credit standards means at least half of mortgage-seeking consumers can't squeeze through to acceptance, says MBA spokeswoman Carolyn Kemp.
Instead of yielding to shame, anger or any of the usual emotions associated with rejection, today's consumers who are intent on buying or refinancing should adopt a pragmatic stance, since clear-eyed determination may eventually land them a loan.
Here's how:
1. Get a read on the reasonIf you've submitted a formal application, federal law dictates that you're entitled to a formal rejection.
Expect an "adverse action" notice, spelling out the reasons for turning you down, which these days is likely to state that the loan amount you're seeking is too large compared to the current appraised value of your home, says Joe Theisen, president of the Wisconsin Mortgage Professionals Association and branch manager of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. in Madison, Wis.
If it's not your home's value that's the issue, it may be your personal credentials, such as your creditworthiness, work history or debt load.
When credit is the issue, an adverse-action notice is required, naming the credit reporting agency that provided the data on which the lender based its decision, according to Federal Trade Commission rules. You're also entitled to a free credit report; see the FTC Web site for more information.
Given the odds of acceptance, a lender may not require you to pay a few hundred dollars to submit a formal application, which includes the cost of a professional appraisal on the property. Instead, he may pull a credit score, and tell you what you're likely eligible for, says Marc Savitt, president of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.
2. Find a fixQualifying for a mortgage isn't a black-and-white issue. Rather, different loans at varying rates may be available, depending on how risky a lender thinks a particular mortgage will be. If you don't qualify at 5.5 percent, for instance, you may be able to get the nod for a loan at 6 percent or 6.5 percent.
However, many borrowers, especially those who are refinancing, need a certain rate to reach the monthly payment they want. Not only are rates higher for risky loans, but there are now upfront "point" charges dictated by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two big mortgage guarantors currently under government control, Savitt says.
To get a good rate, some borrowers may be able to make changes — like lowering the amount of the loan they seek.
When a borrower isn't far from the qualifying mark, he may be able to reapply and be approved relatively quickly. For instance, if you're within reach of a 740 credit score, which is usually required for the best rate, you might pay down a balance on a credit card and hit the target, Theisen says.
3. Seek out other opinionsNot every lending firm adheres strictly to the same playbook, and one lender may approve what another rejects, says Savitt, who recently had a borrower with good credit turned down for a low down payment, government-insured loan, but found another firm giving the green light.
A local "community bank," meaning a smaller, hometown institution, may be more flexible, contends Diane Scriveri, chief lending officer at Bogota Savings Bank in Teaneck, N.J., and vice chair of the affordable housing committee of the New Jersey League of Community Banks.
"Because we're local, we may know home values better. We still use independent appraisals of course, but we may look at comparable (home values) differently because we know what's really happening in different neighborhoods," she says.
Credit unions, which only offer loans to consumers who qualify for credit union membership, may also be more forgiving, says Tony Emerson, president of the Credit Union League of Connecticut. "It would be foolhardy to suggest that in every case, you can go to a credit union and get a loan," Emerson says.
Still, he says, some credit unions may judge loan eligibility based upon the unique relationship they have with their members. For instance, many credit unions offer membership to employees of specific companies and would know more about a member's job stability, he says.
4. Give it another tryThe Mortgage Bankers Association is predicting that 30-year fixed rates will hover near the 5 percent range through 2010. So if predictions hold and interest rates stay relatively low, you should have time to try again if the factors behind your rejection improve.
Fortunately, a rejection shouldn't bring down your credit score, says Craig Watts, public relations director for Fair Isaac Corp.
Making a formal application and then reapplying more than a month later could lower your score, but only by about 5 points. Most scoring systems allow consumers to make multiple mortgage applications within a 30-day period without any negative impact on their credit score. But mortgage inquiries older than 30 days will count as a single inquiry if they're made within a 14-day or 45-day window, depending on the scoring model used.
Don't be surprised if your friendly lender, the one who invites you to sit down and apply for a mortgage, ushers you politely out the door empty-handed after you've chatted a bit.
The sudden chill isn't personal. The Mortgage Bankers Association, or MBA, in Washington, D.C., estimates that about half of all mortgage applicants are now being turned down. Though refinancing approvals remained static, the acceptance rate on mortgage applications suffered a 10 percentage-point drop, from 63 percent in the first half of 2007 to 53 percent in the first half of last year, according to mortgage data tracked semi-annually by the association. Since then, further tightening of credit standards means at least half of mortgage-seeking consumers can't squeeze through to acceptance, says MBA spokeswoman Carolyn Kemp.
Instead of yielding to shame, anger or any of the usual emotions associated with rejection, today's consumers who are intent on buying or refinancing should adopt a pragmatic stance, since clear-eyed determination may eventually land them a loan.
Here's how:
1. Get a read on the reasonIf you've submitted a formal application, federal law dictates that you're entitled to a formal rejection.
Expect an "adverse action" notice, spelling out the reasons for turning you down, which these days is likely to state that the loan amount you're seeking is too large compared to the current appraised value of your home, says Joe Theisen, president of the Wisconsin Mortgage Professionals Association and branch manager of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. in Madison, Wis.
If it's not your home's value that's the issue, it may be your personal credentials, such as your creditworthiness, work history or debt load.
When credit is the issue, an adverse-action notice is required, naming the credit reporting agency that provided the data on which the lender based its decision, according to Federal Trade Commission rules. You're also entitled to a free credit report; see the FTC Web site for more information.
Given the odds of acceptance, a lender may not require you to pay a few hundred dollars to submit a formal application, which includes the cost of a professional appraisal on the property. Instead, he may pull a credit score, and tell you what you're likely eligible for, says Marc Savitt, president of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.
2. Find a fixQualifying for a mortgage isn't a black-and-white issue. Rather, different loans at varying rates may be available, depending on how risky a lender thinks a particular mortgage will be. If you don't qualify at 5.5 percent, for instance, you may be able to get the nod for a loan at 6 percent or 6.5 percent.
However, many borrowers, especially those who are refinancing, need a certain rate to reach the monthly payment they want. Not only are rates higher for risky loans, but there are now upfront "point" charges dictated by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two big mortgage guarantors currently under government control, Savitt says.
To get a good rate, some borrowers may be able to make changes — like lowering the amount of the loan they seek.
When a borrower isn't far from the qualifying mark, he may be able to reapply and be approved relatively quickly. For instance, if you're within reach of a 740 credit score, which is usually required for the best rate, you might pay down a balance on a credit card and hit the target, Theisen says.
3. Seek out other opinionsNot every lending firm adheres strictly to the same playbook, and one lender may approve what another rejects, says Savitt, who recently had a borrower with good credit turned down for a low down payment, government-insured loan, but found another firm giving the green light.
A local "community bank," meaning a smaller, hometown institution, may be more flexible, contends Diane Scriveri, chief lending officer at Bogota Savings Bank in Teaneck, N.J., and vice chair of the affordable housing committee of the New Jersey League of Community Banks.
"Because we're local, we may know home values better. We still use independent appraisals of course, but we may look at comparable (home values) differently because we know what's really happening in different neighborhoods," she says.
Credit unions, which only offer loans to consumers who qualify for credit union membership, may also be more forgiving, says Tony Emerson, president of the Credit Union League of Connecticut. "It would be foolhardy to suggest that in every case, you can go to a credit union and get a loan," Emerson says.
Still, he says, some credit unions may judge loan eligibility based upon the unique relationship they have with their members. For instance, many credit unions offer membership to employees of specific companies and would know more about a member's job stability, he says.
4. Give it another tryThe Mortgage Bankers Association is predicting that 30-year fixed rates will hover near the 5 percent range through 2010. So if predictions hold and interest rates stay relatively low, you should have time to try again if the factors behind your rejection improve.
Fortunately, a rejection shouldn't bring down your credit score, says Craig Watts, public relations director for Fair Isaac Corp.
Making a formal application and then reapplying more than a month later could lower your score, but only by about 5 points. Most scoring systems allow consumers to make multiple mortgage applications within a 30-day period without any negative impact on their credit score. But mortgage inquiries older than 30 days will count as a single inquiry if they're made within a 14-day or 45-day window, depending on the scoring model used.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Why we relocated to Deep Creek Lake
Susan and I have been visiting Deep Creek Lake for the last ten years and have owned second homes for the last seven years. After enjoying our homes about twice a month for those years, we fell more deeply in love with the beauty and amenities offered year round and decided to become permanent residents last year.
As a Realtor licensed in both Maryland and Virginia the transition was easy. Garrett County, home of Deep Creek Lake, is nestled in the mountains of Western Maryland with easy highway access within convenient driving distance of a number of major metropolitan areas. We had considered other options for a second home - the Atlantic beaches and other lake areas - but for us, the Deep Creek Lake area was the final choice because it offers so many more year-round activities as the only four season resort area in the mid-Atlantic.
The climate of our area gives it a distinct advantage over other areas - more natural snow in the winter and slightly cooler temperatures in the summer. The activities and lifestyle your family and friends can enjoy at Deep Creek Lake are virtually limitless, including boating, water skiing, fishing, golfing, hiking, picnicking, whitewater rafting, sailing, downhill and cross country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Let me put my 20 plus years of experience in negotiating, buying, selling and leasing commercial and residential real estate to work for you. If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call or email me to help with your real estate needs! Toll Free: 800-336-5253.
As a Realtor licensed in both Maryland and Virginia the transition was easy. Garrett County, home of Deep Creek Lake, is nestled in the mountains of Western Maryland with easy highway access within convenient driving distance of a number of major metropolitan areas. We had considered other options for a second home - the Atlantic beaches and other lake areas - but for us, the Deep Creek Lake area was the final choice because it offers so many more year-round activities as the only four season resort area in the mid-Atlantic.
The climate of our area gives it a distinct advantage over other areas - more natural snow in the winter and slightly cooler temperatures in the summer. The activities and lifestyle your family and friends can enjoy at Deep Creek Lake are virtually limitless, including boating, water skiing, fishing, golfing, hiking, picnicking, whitewater rafting, sailing, downhill and cross country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Let me put my 20 plus years of experience in negotiating, buying, selling and leasing commercial and residential real estate to work for you. If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call or email me to help with your real estate needs! Toll Free: 800-336-5253.
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