Have you ever seen a house and absolutely loved the location (on the Chesapeake Bay) loved the remodel (done three years ago), but you might have wanted to make changes on the exterior?  Well, this is it!  Miraculous views of the great Chesapeake Bay can be your everyday!  Check our the architect’s ideas of a few minor changes you could make and have just what you were imagining.  See the virtual tour link at www.tourfactory.com/578310

As of October 1, 2009 if you live in what is defined as a Chesapeake Bay Critical Area (lands within 100 feet of the mean high water line of tidal waters on the bay) and you need to replace or do a major repair on your septic system you will have to follow new guidelines.  You will have to put in a system that uses nitrogen removal technology.  This is dictated by SB 544.  Well, you may be saying, “it’s no big deal.”  But, you may also think that a $12,000 or double cost is not a big deal either.

About 17% of all  land in Calvert County falls into this category according to Rick Beckrich who writes for the Calvert Independent.  He states in an article published on November 4, 2009 that the problem with excess nitrogen produced by old septic systems is that it causes damage to our waterways.  It can’t deplete the oxygen needed for the fish and other animals that live in the bay.

Even if you don’t need a whole new system, just a tank or drain field, the county will most likely make you put in an entire new system.  These systems require regular maintenance and it is recommended that a service contract be taken out to maintain them.

For more information, you can call Mr. Kullen at (410) 535-1600.

What is the real estate world coming to?

I just read that peope are thinking that wall paper is back in style again.  Well please take it from a 30 year real estate veteran, DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!  Oh they say (decorators) that you can express your personal style that way.  Maybe you can but don’t share it with me when I’m thinking of buying your house.  Put beautiful artwork on your walls and take it with you.  It’s more economical and green that way too!

One of the biggest drawbacks to a house selling is the amount of time, effort and difficulty of removing the wall paper.  Paint colors can be an issue at times but wall paper will keep someone from buyer your house!  So now you’re thinking thinking “but all they have to do is take it down,” well you didn’t do it, so why should they?

The old adage is still true- neutralize your home before puttng it on the market for sale.  Neutralize the wallpaper first!  Your buyer will be glad you did and so will your real estate agent.

I purchased my last home filled with wallpaper- nobody else wanted it!  The day after I moved in, people were at my home with ladders and scaffolding, taking down the powder blue floral bouquets in the massive 2 story foyer.  I even spent thousands of dollars to have it faux painted to look like marble.  Boy what a relief!  The good bones of a house only get you so far and in a depressed market like we have now, say goodbye to your wallpaper quickly and don’t be fooled into thinking it is coming back in style!  Those harvest gold appliances and pink toilets are not coming back either!

Adding to Gail Nyman’s list of credentials is her recent designation as a CDPE, “Certified Distressed Property Expert.”  Although Calvert County does not have many foreclosures and short sales as many other jurisdictions, we do have a growing number.  Many times homeowners are not aware of all their options.  It is not common knowledge that a short sale is MUCH easier on your credit than a foreclosure.  Even in this market, if a house is priced correctly it will sell and relatively quickly.  If you have questions about your options, don’t just give up, consult with a real estate professional, please give Gail a call.

How would you like to have an extra $8000 in your pocket just for buying your first home?  The industry is having a sale right now.  Not in last 30 or so years have rates been so low, variety of choices so many and prices have hit rock bottom!  You will actually spend more to rent right now, than you would owning your own home.  But don’t wait, once the market begins to go in the other direction- so will interest rates and you will find yourself saying ” If only I had bought then…” 

Give me a call and we can take a pleasant eye opening look at what you can now get for your money.

So what is all this “green” building about?  I don’t want to live in a wood structure with a garden on the roof!  Well not all green building is recognizable.  In fact, you probably would not know a “green home” from a traditional home until you took a closer look.

I am sure we would all like to have lower utility bills and be more kind to the earth at the same time.  So when you have the choice to build your home, why wouldn’t you make some different choices that are environmentally sound?  Here are a few things that green builders will recommend:

• Geo-Thermal Heating Systems
• Blown in Soybased Insulation
• Using Local Materials to Reduce Cost of Fuels Necessary to Ship Material in
• Placing Your Home at a Southern Exposure
• Tex Decking of Recycled Plastic
• Using Recycled Drywall
• Solar Panels
• Low-Flow Toilets
• Bamtex Bamboo Flooring
• Energy Star Appliances
• Rain Gardens and Reflective Steel Roofing

These are just a few of the ideas that will be more sensitive to the world’s ecology as well as saving money on utilities.

Right now, Southern Maryland Development, a local Calvert County Builder, is focusing on Green Building in a new subdivision of Woodbridge Estates in Huntingtown, MD.  Right now, this builder is the only one who is offering “Green” house packages. 

For more information, please contact me http://gailnyman.com/contact.php .