We had the opportunity to hear Peter Franchot, the Comptroller of Maryland, speak on the economy of the state as well as his opinions and ideas for the housing industry.

We also listened to Jeff Shore, an expert in new homes sales training. Jeff stressed the importance of a positive, confident attitude and the enthusiasm necessary to establish a comfortable relationship with a potential home buyer. After listening to Jeff speak I believe all three of us left the seminar encouraged, inspired and motivated! I look forwarding to reading more of Jeff’s work as well as his newsletter that is available on his website.

Finally, it would be a disgrace if I didn’t mention our unbelievable lunch at one of the best deli’s in Maryland, Edmart.

Thank you Brooke for such a great learning experience and day!

-Bobbi

Maryland Comptroller

Myself, Melissa, Jeff Shore and Brooke

Edmart Deli corned beef

Photo Courtesy of EarthEasy.com

We may be more than half way through Summer but we still have plenty of hot days ahead of us.  Below you will find a few very important tips to help keep your yard healthy and happy on a warm day:

1. Do not over-water your lawn!   Grass reaches deep with its roots for moisture, so water about once a week.  Water heavily, about an inch or two, for best results.
2. Do not cut your grass short!  By giving your lawn an extra inch or so in length, your allowing the blades to shade your roots from the sun.  Healthy roots grow longer and stronger.
3. Do fertilize your grass every 2 months or so.  Healthy, fed grass produces thick, even blades that cool down the soil and maintain your grass even in hot weather.
4. Last but not least, the best time to water your lawn is early morning.  You have the best chance of avoiding evaporation at this time of day.

Combining the above tips will leave you with a healthy yard for the remainder of Summer and the hot beginning days of Fall!

Chesapeake Beach has become a very popular location in Calvert County.  There are many opportunities to enjoy an entire day with friends and family.   Not only does the town provide The Chesapeake Beach Water Park, Brownie’s Beach and Boardwalk and numerous dining options highlight the town. The recently built Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa offers visitors a upscale venue for dining and relaxing. Both Kaine Homes’ Rockwell community and the Builtrite Homes’ San Francisco by the Bay community take advantage of all these local amenities.

Rockwell, will feature 8 townhomes with an entire floor being dedicated to the master suite.  Not only are the 2,400 square foot homes spacious but the backyards are truly oversized as well. To learn more about these townehomes go to our “Communities” tab and click on Rockwell.

Both Calvert County home builders are pleased with combined sales of almost 40 homes in the last 13 months in  the College Station community. An convenient Prince Frederick location combined with exceptionally affordable prices from the mid $300’s has attracted many first time homebuyers as well as folks purchasing their second homes. Both Kaine Homes and Marrick Homes feature furnished model homes and design centers and are open seven days a week.

Housing starts rose 22% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 583,000, assisted in large part by a large (82%) gain in multifamily construction. Single-family starts also contributed to the February increase, rising 1% to 357,000. Permits increased 3% from January to a 547,000 annual rate with all of the increase due to a 11% advance in single-family authorizations.

By: Tim Bryant

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A national survey out today shows–perhaps to no one’s surprise–that most consumers still see home ownership as a big part of the American Dream.

The Trulia Inc. online survey last month of 2,076 adults found that more than three fourths of Americans consider home ownership part of their American dream.

But only 5 percent of the respondents said government economic incentives are the single most important thing President Barack Obama can do to stem the housing meltdown. More than half of those surveyed said job creation and security–together–is the most important thing Obama can do to restore faith in the dream of home ownership.

“We’re living in really unique times in housing,” Trulia CEO Pete Flint said this morning during a nationwide conference call Building Blocks monitored. “With all this doom and gloom, we see that three quarters of Americans see that home ownership is still part of their American Dream.”

A sense of community and having a place where the kids can play in the yard remain as powerful incentives for home ownership, Flint said.

But Greg McBride, senior financial analyst with Bankrate, told reporters homeowners must “adjust to the reality that housing is a long-term investment; it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme.”