Stacey-Ann's Blog

This morning I was watching the Today Show and they were discussing the death of the McMansion.  According to their resident real estate expert buyers no longer wanted larger homes.  She even indicated that there was a trend towards a tiny home (approximately 70 square feet).

These segments often get on my nerves because they make sweeping generalizations about the market as though they are truths everywhere.  Here in Maryland, I work with many first time buyers interested in buying homes under $150,000 and I have yet to find someone who would even consider a 70 square feet home.

In my opionion, buyers are mostly buying smaller homes because that's what they can afford.  When I go out with buyers I often hear them complaining about the size of the bedrooms and wishing they were bigger. 

What they want is a smaller price tag, a smaller mortgage, but not really a smaller home.

I also hear many of them wanting a formal dining room - though I agree with the segment that indicated that living rooms are not as important if there is a den or family room. 

The other reason I see for the trend towards smaller homes is that the buyers driving the market right now are first-time home buyers who are testing the waters of home ownership and may not NEED lots of space.  Once they become move-up buyers and/or their families grow they will begin to consider some of the larger homes that are available.

My prediction is that the trend towards larger homes will re-emerge when the economic prosperity returns. 

I must admit, that I live in one of those larger homes and I love it.  Do I necessarily need all the space?  No.  But do I like having the space?  Absolutely. 

Prince George's County, MD has many of these so called McMansion communities and many of them continue to sell well despite the economic down-turn. 

When I moved into my new home community in Upper Marlboro in 2008 we were one of only three homes on our street and about six homes in the section.  Since then there have been at least 30 homes built and many of the remaining lots have been sold.  Clearly the demand for the McMansions is still there in some markets.

I think the amenities available in these large homes including large master bedrooms, kitchen with islands, 2-3 car garages will continue to appeal to the buyer.

 

In June, Lenn Harley had written a post defending the McMansion and the owners who love them.

 

Prices for many of these so called McMansions have come down tremendously and what was once out of the reach for many buyers is now once again an option.

If you are interested in owning a McMansion give me a call so that we can find one that suits your needs.

McMansions In Prince George's County, MD

McMansions in Montgomery County, MD

McMansions in Charles County, MD

McMansions in Anne Arundel County, MD

McMansions in Howard County, MD

 

It's almost football time again and we have the pleasure of having 2 professional teams in the area. There is no Battle of the Beltway on the schedule this year so we don't have to divide our loyalties, instead we can hope for them both to win.

Ravens Schedule

9/13, 7:00pm  @Jets

9/19, 1:00pm  @Bengals

9/26, 1:00pm  Browns

10/3, 1:00pm @Steelers

10/10, 1:00pm  Broncos

10/17, 1:00pm @Patriots

10/24, 1:00pm Bills

10/31, 1:00pm @Lions

11/7, 1:00pm Dolphins

11/11, 8:20pm @Falcons

11/21, 1:00pm @Panthers

11/28, 1:00pm Bucaneers

12/5, 8:20pm Steelers

12/13, 8:30pm @Texans

12/19, 1:00pm Saints

12/26, 1:00pm @Browns

1/2, 1:00pm Bengals

 

Redskins Schedule

 

One of the challenges of moving into a new community is the wait for the planned amenities.  The residents of Oak Creek Club in Upper Marlboro, MD have been waiting for the opening of the swimming pool and tennis courts for some time. 

 

The economic slow down delayed the building of these amenities.  However, I am pleased to report that the Oak Creek Club swimming pool and tennis courts are finally open.  

 

The Center features lighted tennis courts, pool with on duty life-guards, a kiddie pool with fountain, and a club house.  The club house has space for meetings and events.

 

Despite the disappointment that the swimming pool had not opened earlier in the season, Oak Creek residents are enjoying the last few weeks of Summer lazing by the side of the pool.

 

Oak Creek Club features many other wonderful amenities including 18 hole private golf course, 24 hour guard maned security gates, concierge, basic cable included in HOA fee.  Additional amenities, including a shuttle to the metro are planned.

 

New Construction is still available in Oak Creek Club starting in the mid $300s and resales including townhomes, carriage homes, and luxury single family homes are also available.

 

 

 

 

 

It's almost football time again!  The long awaited 2010 Redskins season is about to get under-way and as usual the DC fans have high hopes and expectations for their beloved "Skins".

9/12, 8:20pm  Cowboys

9/19, 4:15pm  Texans

9/26, 4:05pm  @Rams

10/3, 4:15pm @Eagles

10/10, 1:00pm  Packers

10/17, 8:20pm Colts

10/24, 1pm @Bears

10/31, 1:00pm @Lions

11/15, 8:30pm Eagles

11/21, 1:00pm @Titans

11/28, 1:00pm Vikings

12/5, 1:00pm @ Giants

12/12, 1:00pm Bucaneers 

12/19, 1:00pm @Cowboys

12/26, 1:00pm @Jaguars

1/2, 1:00pm Giants

 

 

2010 Ravens Schedule

 

 

 

East Moon Asian Bistro in Bowie is a wonderful restaurant that features an asian fusion menu.  Whether you like traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, or Japanese food there is something on the menu for you. 

The menu features entrees representing the different Asian styles of cooking as well as fresh sushi. 

The Vietnamese Egg Rolls are my personal favorite appetizer.

The prices as East Moon Asian Bistro are not as inexpensive as your neighborhood carry-out but well worth the difference.

 

Located off Rt 450 in Bowie, East Moon Asian Bistro is convenient to any Bowie community but is especially accessible to Fairwood & Woodmore North.

 

If you are in the mood for excellent Asian food and are in the Bowie area, drop in and give East Moon Asian Bistro a try. 

You will not be disappointed.

 

 Food is available for dine-in, carryout and delivery within 5 miles.

 

 

 

East Moon Asian Bistro

6107 High Bridge Road, Bowie MD 20720

301-805-4988

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is no secret that I am petrified of lizards.  I have a clinically diagnosable phobia (and that's my professional opinion).  Usually this only becomes a problem when I going home to visit my parents in Jamaica or my sister-in-law in Florida.  Luckily we don't have lizards in Maryland - or so I thought!

The first time I realized that there were lizards in Maryland was just over 2 years ago in a vacant house in Southern Maryland.

Until recently I thought that it was a fluke.  However, I am beginning to see them more and more.  On a vacation in Williamsburg there were several on the patio of the hotel.

This week we've seen a lizard outside my garage, i've seen one running along the side of my friend's house, and today I almost had a heart attack when one ran into the garage of a house I was previewing in Beechtree, Upper Marlboro. 

Where were all these lizards hiding for the past 18 years?  Why have they chosen now to haunt me?

Has anyone else seen an increase in these nasty creatures running around?

I thought I had moved far enough North to not have to live with the fear of finding a lizard in my house.  I am beginning to realize that Maryland is not far enough. 

Canada here I come!

 

4425 Romlon Street #202, Beltsville, MD

2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo

$98,000

Short Sale

Listing Agent:  Tyrone Eugene

 

 

 

 10126 S. Campus Way #301, Upper Marlboro MD

2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo

$120,000

Short Sale

Listing Agent:  Stacey-Ann Baugh

 

 

4401 Roland Ave #104, Baltimore MD

2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo

$139,500

Listing Agent:  Felicia Taylor

 

 

 

2331 Eutaw Place, Baltimore MD 21217

6 bedrooms, 2 full & 2 half bathroom row house

$169,000

Short Sale

Listing Agent:  Felicia Taylor

 

 

 

5220 Port Tobacco Road, Nanjemoy MD

4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath single family home

$230,000

Short Sale

Listing Agent:  Felicia Taylor

 

 

 9818 Green Apple Turn, Upper Marlboro MD

4 bedrooms, 3 bathroom single family home

$250,000

Listing Agent:  Tyrone Eugene

 

 

 

 

 

12654 Council Oak Dr, Waldorf MD

3 bedroom, 3 bathroom single family home

$259,900

Listing Agent:  LeEsta Britt

 

 

 

 

2170 Vittoria Ct 357, Bowie MD

3 bedroom, 3 bathroom semi-detached home

$295,000

Listing Agents:  Jasmine Jackson & Stacey-Ann Baugh

 

 

 

 

12105 Lisborough Road, Bowie MD

4 bedrooms, 2 full & 2 half bathroom single family home

$535,000

Listing Agent:  Stacey-Ann Baugh

 

 

 

 

 

1836 Metzerott Road #318, Adelphi, MD

2 bedroom, 1 bath condo

$1200/mth

Listing Agent:  Felicia Taylor

 

 

 

 

318 Rhode Island Ave, NE #201, Washington DC

1 bedroom, 1 bath condo

$1275/mth

Listing Agent:  Felicia Taylor

 

 

 

2825 28th Street, SE #2, Washington, DC

3 bedroom, 1 bath apartment

$1500/mth

Listing Agent:  Felicia Taylor

 

 

 

 

1203 Torington Place, Upper Marlboro, MD

3 bedroom, 1.5 bath single family home

$1750/mth

Listing Agent:  Tyrone Eugene

 

 

 

 

12105 Lisborough Road, Bowie MD

4 bedrooms, 2 full & 2 half bathrooms

$3500/mth

Listing Agent: Stacey-Ann Baugh