Deck Repair and Painting Costs

This deck in Upper Marlboro, MD was in need of repairs.  Several boards were warped and splintering.  I had the contractor replace 12 boards of pressure treated lumber (16 feet each),  2 cross sections, and a complete paint job which included the lattice below the deck.   I purchased a 5 gallon bucket of deck paint for $170.  We agreed on $850 total cost for materials, labor, and haul away old debris.  Good deal!  Here are some photos I took.

Maryland Schools Closed for the Remainder of 2019-2020 Academic School Year

I wanted to share below the information from the Maryland State Department of Education http://marylandpublicschools.org/Pages/default.aspx

On May 6, 2020, the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools announced the closure of schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic school year.  

Online and distance learning opportunities will continue. To guide school systems and school communities on the path forward, the State Department of Education has released a comprehensive plan for long-term recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

The “Maryland Together: Maryland's Recovery Plan for Education” was drafted in collaboration with the State Board, local school superintendents, and with input from a wide array of stakeholders throughout our State. This document lays the groundwork for the coming months as we maintain and improve upon online learning opportunities and identifies methods for recovering any lost instruction time that has occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The plan also establishes the foundation for school systems as they begin to consider how they will bring students and educators back into school buildings once they are able to in a safe way.

 

Homeowners: Mortgage Forbearance Does Not Erase What You Owe.

Many homeowners are facing financial hardship from the pandemic. Forbearance is the process of delaying your mortgage payments for a given period of time.  Lenders may let you make a partial payment or skip payments. You’ll have to repay any missed or reduced payments in the future. Forbearance does not erase what you owe.

If you are a homeowner who is struggling or unable to make your monthly mortgage payment, call your lender to work out a solution now!  Acting quickly may help you keep your home and the money you have already invested into it.

Here are a few things you should know once your lender grants you a forbearance.

1. Pay Back. You will have to pay back that money in addition to your regular mortgage payments.
2. Reinstatement. Once the forbearance period is over, your lender will require you to be “reinstated”.  Reinstatement refers to making a one-time, lump-sum payment that covers all your late payments.  However, a lump-sum payment is not required by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
3. Lump-Sum Payment. If you can’t afford reinstatement (one-time, lump sum payment), but can start making payments to catch up, the lender may let you pay an additional amount each month until you are caught up.
4. Forbearance and your credit report. The CARES Act specifies that when a borrower arranges a forbearance option with their lender on an FHFA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac–backed loan, servicers are required to report them as “current” on their mortgage.
5. Loan Modification may become an option at some point. Your lender may agree to amend your mortgage. Loan options include:
   
   
   1. Adding all the missed payment to the loan amount & increasing the monthly payment to cover the larger loan.
   2. Giving you more years to pay off the loan, lowering the interest rate, and/or forgiving part of the loan, to lower your monthly payment.
      
      
   3. Switching from an adjustable rate mortgage to a fixed rate mortgage, so you aren’t exposed to increases in your monthly payment.
      
      
   4. Requiring amounts for taxes and insurance to be included with your monthly mortgage payment so you avoid big bills in addition to your mortgage.

As a licensed Realtor, I’m not only in the business of helping people become homeowners, but also doing everything I can to make sure you can afford to stay in your home.  If your current lender isn’t willing or able to help, you may be able to refinance your current mortgage with another lender. I may be able to help you find responsible lenders that make fair and affordable loans.

Be wary of advertisements like Cash for Houses/Any Situation” or “We Buy Houses for Cash.”  These may be scams that bait homeowners with the promise of rescuing them from imminent foreclosure.

Please call me at 240-535-1855 if you have questions or you determine that selling your home is your best option.

Here are a few links for more information on Mortgage Forbearance.

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/guide-coronavirus-mortgage-relief-options/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/personal-finance/if-you-cant-pay-your-mortgage-heres-what-you-need-to-know/2020/04/07/81a0706c-7905-11ea-b6ff-597f170df8f8_story.html

 

 

COVID-19 Screening in Prince Georges County, MD

For Immediate Release:
March 29, 2020
For More Information:
Gina Ford
Communications Director
Office of the County Executive
Prince George’s County
w. 301.952.4670
c. 202.744.3308
[email protected]

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY TO OPEN SCREENING CLINIC IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 TOMORROW

Screening Clinic Has Limited Testing Capability For Those Meeting Stringent CDC Guidelines

LANDOVER, MD – Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced today that the Prince George's County COVID-19 screening site at FedEXField will open at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, March 30, 2020. The media staging area for the screening site will be in the western corner of Lot A, which is opposite the screening site. Reporters and photographers will be able to stand anywhere between parking pillars A64-A65 and A74-A75, and the area will be roped off.

On Friday, March 27, the Health Department learned that a member of the Maryland National Guard tested positive for COVID-19. The Maryland National Guard took the appropriate steps to care for their personnel and we feel confident in moving forward with our partners to open the site tomorrow. In addition, the site was cleaned over the weekend using industrial cleaning solutions.

“When we were made aware a member of the Maryland National Guard tested positive for COVID-19, officials from the County, State, National Guard and the Redskins worked through the necessary steps to ensure we could open the screening site as scheduled,” said Alsobrooks. “I am truly proud of the collaborative effort with all our partners that will help us serve our communities in need during these very uncertain times.”

This screening site is designed to alleviate the pressure on primary care physicians, hospitals, and health care facilities that will likely increase in the coming weeks due to COVID-19. Those who normally go to hospitals or emergency rooms to receive primary health care, are highly encouraged to seek a telehealth appointment through the Prince George’s County Health
Department if they believe they have been exposed and are exhibiting symptoms associated with this virus.

This site is primarily a screening area that will have limited testing capabilities for those people who meet stringent CDC testing guidelines. This site is accessible by appointment only, and the process is as follows:

***Walkups exhibiting no symptoms will not be tested. Those with prescriptions from primary care physicians or other health care providers will still need to make an appointment through the Prince George’s Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline and telehealth services by calling 301-883-6627.

1. Call the Prince George's County Health Department Coronavirus hotline at (301) 883-6627 to schedule an initial telehealth screening.

2. The telehealth medical professional will speak to the caller to obtain information to determine if the patient meets the CDC testing requirements.

3. If the caller meets CDC testing guidelines, they will receive an appointment time and an appointment number (from 1 to 100 **MUST KEEP ASSIGNED APPOINTMENTNUMBER) to go to the FedExField site on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday- they must show up at their appointment time, with their appointment number, and be able to answer questions based on their telehealth screening.

4. Upon arriving at the testing site, the individual will receive instruction from law enforcement as to where to park and when to exit their vehicle.

5. The individual will walk to the checkpoint and give their appointment number, then they will be escorted to a tent based on their symptoms.

6. If the individual meets testing requirements outlined by the CDC, they will be escorted to the testing tent. Following the testing, the individual will be given instructions on home self-care, and social distancing.

7. Those who do not meet CDC guidelines will not be tested. Those individuals who do not meet criteria but are symptomatic will receive instructions on home self-care and   self-isolation, as needed. Those individuals who are asymptomatic will receive
instructions on home self-care and social distancing. The individual will then be escorted to the exit. 

The clinic will be primarily staffed by Prince George’s County Health Department officials with support from the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland National Guard, the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps, and the University of Maryland Medical System. 

For Sale: $279,900 - Townhouse in District Heights, MD - 5622 Rock Quarry Terrace

Last week I listed this townhouse in District Heights, MD for $279,900.  It's over 1900 sqft. with 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 1 half bath.  I had 2 offers within the first 5 days on the market.  That's an indicator of a seller's market, at least in the Regency Meadows Subdivision.  

Here's a video of this lovely property located at 5622 Rock Quarry Terrace, District Heights, MD 20747

 

If you are searching for similar townhomes in this price range in the Upper Marlboro, MD are please contact me at 240-535-1855.  Thanks.

 

Empty Shelves at Costco - Coronavirus Panic

Yesterday, I made trip to the Costco store in Brandywine, MD to pick up food and essentials for everyday living.  As I drove into the parking lot, I noticed how crowded it was for a weekday afternoon.  Grocery list in hand, I had great expectations of what items would be available because after all, this is Costco.  Even with the current CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) pandemic spreading across the US and the world, I was confident that Costco would be well stocked. Not exactly!

As I walked into the store and flashed my Costco membership card, the ID checker pleasantly wiped down the handlebar on my shopping cart with disinfectant.  I was glad Costco is taking active measures to stop the spread of the CORONAVIRUS.

Once in the store, I headed straight to the meat department.  As I approached the display cases for chicken and fish, I immediately saw they were empty. “Wow” I said to myself.  I then made my way over to the other cases where beef and pork are displayed.  The first thing I noticed was there was no more ground beef.  So much for my brontosaurus burgers I wanted to make, I thought to myself.  However, some of the more expensive beef items were available, like briskets and steaks.  I was able to pick up one of the last three pot roasts (2 pack) for $26 so I was happy.

Next on my list was bread, so I casually pushed my cart over to that area and I noticed the scarcity as I approached the bread racks. Luckily, I was able to find a 2 pack of my favorite brand.

Going down my list, next was water, paper towels and toilet tissue which are generally stored in the same area in most Costco stores.  Once again as I approached, I could see they were completely out of all paper products.

Lastly, I needed to get some eggs.  So again, I made my way over to the glass refrigerated rooms where eggs, milk, etc. is normally stored…….and yes!  There were eggs available. However, there was one catch as the signed read “SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE, THERE IS A LIMIT OF 1 PACKAGE OF EGGS, PER MEMBER, PER DAY”. Well, I had no choice but to pick up that 1 package of eggs (24 ct).  I wasn’t disappointed though. I normally purchase 1 pack anyway.

At this point I was bit dissatisfied with my Costco experience, so I had to mosey on up to the check-out line. Interesting enough, there was only one check out line although several cashier lanes were open.  Three employees were ushering members to the cashiers.  My assumption was they were trying to limit any potential chaos and keep the line moving rapidly......and they were doing a good job of it.  

So, my hat is off to you Costco.  I understand.  It’s as simple as supply and demand due to the CORONAVIRUS pandemic. People are beginning to panic.  The Governor of Maryland has closed bars, restaurants, and casinos. Schools are already closed for two weeks.  Hopefully, most grocery stores in the area will soon be able to keep up with the demand during this pandemic. 

Home on Woodyard Undergoes Major Renovation

This home located on Woodyard Rd. in Upper Marlboro is undergoing a major renovation.  It's been completely gutted and a 2nd floor is being added.  Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

On My Way to Home Inspection in Tall Oaks Crossing - Bowie, MD

Homes in the Tall Oaks subdivision of Bowie, MD are currently listed for sale between $425-450K.

Tall Oaks Crossing of Bowie is a quiet and well-maintained community located on the western edge of the City of Bowie, Maryland. Its spectacular one mile wooded entrance is sometimes referred to by its residents as the “Surprise Community of Bowie.” It is situated on approximately 203 wooded acres. Tall Oaks Crossing’s two tennis courts, two 2,240 sq. ft tot lots, large picnic grounds or open play areas, miles of well-maintained hiker/biker trails and a lake (which was originally constructed as a water retention pond), are some of the amenities that make the residents proud to be a part of the community.

Residents of Westphalia Town Center Said No to Amazon and Won

This is old news and a follow up to my post on 7/10/19 regarding the proposed Amazon Warehouse in Upper Marlboro. Well, on August 23, Amazon backed out of their negotiations to build the warehouse at the Westphalia Town Center. Many residents complained and I suspect their voices were heard!

Amazon May Build New Distribution Warehouse at Westphalia Town Center in Upper Marlboro, MD

The biggest news in Upper Marlboro in recent days is the possibility of Amazon building a sprawling 4 million-square-foot warehouse at the Westphalia Town Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.  A big open field (pictured) currently sits alongside Pennsylvania Ave (Route 4) near the Woodyard Rd. exit.

Last week, the Prince George’s County Planning Board approved a zoning change to Westphalia’s development plan. This change added a “merchandise logistics center” as a facility where goods and products are received, sorted, packed and stored for the purpose of distribution to parcel carriers or delivery directly to a customer. That sounds like it was tailored to Amazon's operations.

The site was marketed not just for residential, but for multi-use as well.  Retail shops, office space, and green open areas will be smaller if Amazon gets approved by the Prince George's County Planning board to build.  

Some residents of Westphalia have already voiced their concerns opposing the new facility and have begun a petition. They don’t want increased traffic and pollution which may drive home prices down.  They want what the developer promised……..shops, restaurants, office space, and green space in addition to the residential area, not a massive merchandise logistics center (warehouse distribution center). 

Recent townhome sales in Westphalia have peaked to a maximum of up to $470K for a 4 bedroom unit with the median sale for a 3 bedroom at $365K. One might ask if the average Amazon worker will be able to afford to live in the Westphalia neighborhood he or she would be working in?