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Maple Syrup & buckwheat cakes at Herrington Manor


We just finished up an all you can eat buckwheat (and pancake) breakfast at Herrington Manor State Park. We got to see exactly how to harvest fresh Garrett County maple syrup from start to finish. There were maple trees, sap buckets, a boiling vat on a wood stove and then the finished product – warm, sticky and sweet (amazingly sweet) Garrett County maple syrup. I didn’t realize this until reading the article in the Washington Post about our maple syrup, but the everyday table syrup we use is about 2% maple syrup and then watered down. What we had today was 100% maple syrup – and you could tell the difference. Local Boy Scout Troop 1 was there volunteering, cooking the food and serving It was surprisingly crowded, too, so I am sure they were pleased with the turnout. I have a photo gallery below of some of the photos.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Maryland Housing Market Questions Answered – call Jay Ferguson!

I am always happy to discuss the Garrett County & Deep Creek Lake real estate market with you, should you ever have any questions. Think of me as your real estate consultant – there is never any obligation and I am happy to offer any real estate advice to you, your friends, your family or your co-workers. I am a licensed Maryland REALTOR and have 10 years of experience in our local market.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

4 steps to lowering your property taxes

Jay’s notes: I am happy to try and assist you with the process of lowering your taxes here in Garrett County. In fact, I plan on doing it myself this year, as I highly doubt that my house is worth what the assessed value is. To top it off, there is a house in my neighborhood that is almost the same size and condition, and they pay HALF of the taxes that I am paying! I could not believe it. So, I spoke to the folks at the assessment office and they were very friendly and helpful. Our tax year begins July 1 and runs through June 30 every year – that’s just the way Garrett County is – and thats what your assessment is based on. I was told that when I receive my new assessment (should be in January of next year) that I will be able to file an appeal. Until that point, there is not much you can do – expect gather some information about comparable properties that have sold. That’s where I can help you immediately by providing you FREE comparables (properties that have sold similar to yours) from the MLS. Give me a call or drop me an email and I would be happy to help!

High property taxes? Here are 4 steps to lowering them
Appealing a real estate assessment may save you hundreds of dollars

By Candice Cholap • Associated Press • March 20, 2010

NEW YORK — Home prices are still far below their highs just a few years ago. One bittersweet perk for homeowners is that property taxes should be lower, too.

If your home’s value has tumbled, you may be able to slash hundreds of dollars from your tax bill by appealing its assessed value. That’s because local governments generally don’t reassess homes every year, meaning the values they use to levy property taxes may be outdated.
Just how much you could save depends on your real estate market. But nationally, home prices are still about 30 percent below their peak in 2006.
The appeal process varies depending on your area, but here’s a guide on the steps you’ll need to take:

Track down the paperwork
Property taxes are assessed on a local level. Most homes are only assessed by one jurisdiction, whether it’s a town, city or county. But if your home has more than one assessment — for example, if you live in a village within a town — you need to file appeals with both jurisdictions because they operate independently.
You can start by searching for your assessor’s Web site, where you’ll find the form to file an appeal. It probably will be a page or two and ask for basic information and your home’s parcel or lot number. The latter should be listed on your mortgage or property tax bill, or you might be able to look it up on the assessor’s Web site.
Deadlines for appealing an assessment in a particular year are often in the spring, so get moving if you’re seriously considering it.
Filing fees vary; it could be free, or it may cost a flat fee of $15 or so.

Understand the process
You need to understand two important technicalities, but they’re simple to grasp and shouldn’t daunt you.
The first is your home’s assessed value. This is the basis for your property tax, and it isn’t always the same as your home’s market value.
Some local governments assess homes at a fraction of their market value. For example, if the assessment rate is 60 percent, the assessed value of a $1million home would be $600,000.

If your home’s value has tumbled, you may be able to slash hundreds of dollars from your tax bill by appealing its assessed value. That’s because local governments generally don’t reassess homes every year, meaning the values they use to levy property taxes may be outdated.
Just how much you could save depends on your real estate market. But nationally, home prices are still about 30 percent below their peak in 2006.
The appeal process varies depending on your area, but here’s a guide on the steps you’ll need to take:

Track down the paperwork
Property taxes are assessed on a local level. Most homes are only assessed by one jurisdiction, whether it’s a town, city or county. But if your home has more than one assessment — for example, if you live in a village within a town — you need to file appeals with both jurisdictions because they operate independently.
You can start by searching for your assessor’s Web site, where you’ll find the form to file an appeal. It probably will be a page or two and ask for basic information and your home’s parcel or lot number. The latter should be listed on your mortgage or property tax bill, or you might be able to look it up on the assessor’s Web site.
Deadlines for appealing an assessment in a particular year are often in the spring, so get moving if you’re seriously considering it.
Filing fees vary; it could be free, or it may cost a flat fee of $15 or so.

Understand the process
You need to understand two important technicalities, but they’re simple to grasp and shouldn’t daunt you.
The first is your home’s assessed value. This is the basis for your property tax, and it isn’t always the same as your home’s market value.
Some local governments assess homes at a fraction of their market value. For example, if the assessment rate is 60 percent, the assessed value of a $1million home would be $600,000.
The appeal form will likely ask for assessed values, so you may have to do a little math once you’ve collected market values on comparable homes.

Assessment rates can change from year to year, too, depending on the area’s funding needs.
It’s also important to know the date your area’s assessments are based on. In New Jersey, for example, homes are assessed by local governments Oct. 1 of the previous tax year. So if you’re requesting a new assessment for 2010, you’d need to research home prices from about Oct. 1, 2009.
If you’re having trouble finding either the assessment rate or date, don’t be afraid to call your assessor’s office to ask.

Collect your evidence
Most of your work will be collecting the evidence to make your case.
You can do this several ways. The first is to go to your assessor’s office, which might keep a database of sales in the area. It’s best to get actual sale prices, but listed prices should provide a good baseline if there haven’t been any recent sales in your area.
Collect data on three to five properties. Make sure they’re similar in size and style and were built around the same time. Point out why the houses are comparable to yours, and note any significant differences that could affect values, such as proximity to a busy street.
Also note if your home is near any foreclosed or vacant homes, which are known to lower property value.
It’s important to show you did your homework, but there’s no need to submit a 50-page appeal, said David Wilkes, an attorney who specializes in property taxes and assessments at Huff Wilkes & Cavallara in Tarrytown, N.Y.
Given all of the information online now, most people should be able to put together an appeal on their own. But if you’re truly daunted, you can pay for a new appraisal. Just be sure the appraiser you hire is licensed. Many real estate brokers offer appraisal services but may not have official licenses. On the high end, Wilkes said an appraisal might cost about $500.

Follow up on your appeal
Check on the status of your appeal a few weeks after you file, but don’t panic if you don’t hear back right away. Local assessor offices are often swamped with appeals and may take months to get back to you.
If your appeal is denied, you’re usually given a time window to request a hearing in tax court.
This isn’t as intimid
ating as it sounds, and you probably still won’t need a lawyer, Wilkes said. It may just be that you have to state your case more clearly to the review board.
“It’s another bite at the apple,” he said.
In the meantime, continue paying your property tax bills. If you ultimately win your case, any money you overpaid should be refunded.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

GC Homeowners' Tax Credit Program Is Now "Enhanced"

GC Homeowners’ Tax Credit Program Is Now “Enhanced”

Mar. 18, 2010

The Board of Garrett County Commissioners has approved an enhancement to the current County Supplemental Homeowners’ Tax Credit Program. The current program benefits those taxpayers who are age 65 or older and have lived in Garrett County for 10 years or longer.
The applicable county credit is calculated at 25 percent of the State Homeowners’ Tax Credit. The enhancement to the current County Supplemental Homeowners’ Tax Credit Program will benefit those taxpayers who are age 65 or older, have lived in Garrett County for 10 years or longer, and who have combined gross household income of $25,000 or less.

To apply for the county program, taxpayers are required to file a Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit Application (Form HTC-60) with the state of Maryland. Applications for 2010 are available and can be obtained by accessing the state Department of Assessments and Taxation web site at dat.state.md.us, at the state Department of Assessments and Taxation office located in the Garrett County courthouse, or by calling the local state Department of Assessments and Taxation office at 301-334-1950 and requesting that an application be sent by U.S. mail.

The application filing deadline for 2010 is Sept. 1. Garrett County administrator Monty Pagenhart or the Garrett County Department of Financial Services staff is available to answer questions regarding the County Supplemental Homeowners’ Tax Credit Program by calling 301-334-8970.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Commissioners Ask Residents To "Take 10" In 2010

Commissioners Ask Residents To “Take 10” In 2010

Mar. 18, 2010

As the 2010 Census draws near, Garrett County government is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to encourage everyone to complete and mail back their census forms.
“Participation is important to the future our community,” said a county spokesperson.

As a result, the Board of Garrett County Commissioners is issuing a challenge to everyone living in the county to “take 10” and beat the area’s mail participation rate from the 2000 Census.

“Taking 10 minutes to complete and mail a census form is the easiest and most efficient method of participate in the 2010 Census,” said the spokesperson. “For each census form returned by mail, the Census Bureau saves $60 to $70, or about $85 million for every 1 percent increase in mail participation.”

As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, everyone in the United States must be counted in the census. This includes people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups – citizens and noncitizens.

Conducted every 10 years, the census is more than just a population count.

“The 2010 Census will present a new portrait of America, showing us how our nation has changed in the past decade, and helping to determine what our communities need for the next 10 years,” the spokesperson said.

Census data provide numerous benefits to the people of this nation and the places we live. For example:

•Census data are used to reapportion seats in Congress and ensure proper district representation in state and local governments.

•Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to tribal, state, and local governments based on census data.

•Information from the census helps determine locations for childcare and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools, and community centers.

Rest of the article

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Extreme Home Makeover is coming to Maryland! Nominate a Garrett County family!

I can think of many deserving families here in Garrett County that could use the help! Nominate someone that you think could use it and get the word out! Let’s get Extreme Home Makeover to Garrett County, Maryland!

From the website:

ABC’s EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION SEARCHING FOR

DESERVING FAMILIES

DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED!!!!

HOLLYWOOD, CA – February 1, 2010

Do you know a family whose home deserves an Extreme Makeover? If so, the producers of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition want to hear from you. Ty Pennington and his crew have been all across the map and now they want to drive that famous bus to Maryland!

“We are looking for the deserving people and inspiring families that America can really root for,” says Casting Supervisor Rebecca Shumsky.

What does it take to be picked for an Extreme Makeover? “We’re looking for those special people who have amazing strength of character and never give up. Whether it’s keeping their chin up in really tough circumstances or going out of their way to help others. We want to help people whose stories have really affected their community or made a big difference in other people’s lives.” Shumsky added: “There are a lot of people who are heroes to those around them because of the way they inspire others and quietly serve their communities on a daily basis.”

The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition producers are looking for families whose homes desperately need to be rebuilt. “We really want to help families whose homes present major problems for the family, those big issues that affect the family’s quality of life on a daily basis. We want to find deserving people who just don’t have the resources, ability, or time to fix those serious issues without our help.”

To be eligible, a family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives.

Interested families should e-mail a short description of their family story to:

castmaryland@gmail.com

Nominations may be submitted by the family or by a member of their community. Each nomination must include the names and ages of every member of the household along with a description of the major challenges within the home. Anyone submitting a nomination should be sure to explain why the nominated family is deserving, heroic, and/or a great role model for their community. If possible, include a recent photo of the family. All nominations must include a contact phone number.

The deadline for nominations is April 2, 2010. Don’t delay!

For more information on how to apply please visit our website at:

http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Garrett County Airport @ Deep Creek Lake Expansion Project Finalized

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Seven-Year Long Airport Expansion Project Finalized

Mar. 11, 2010

The Garrett County Airport Runaway Extension Project is officially completed now that all the paperwork has been finalized, airport manager Ed Kelley told the county commissioners on Tuesday.
His announcement was part of a General Services departmental update report presented by director Gary Mullich.

Because of funding issues, the $17.5 million project was conducted in two phases over seven years. Design work and land acquisition began in 2003. Ground was broken in late 2004, and, finally, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the expanded airport last year.

“Construction was completed in 2009, but we were still in the process of completing the paperwork,” Kelley said. He noted that pro-cess took about eight months.

Mullich said the commissioners signed off on the airport layout plan about four weeks ago.

“That was the last piece of paperwork to go, which documents everything we’ve done for the last seven years,” the director said.

The project resulted in the airport length being increased by 2,000 feet. Construction there included a new 50-foot parallel taxiway, 24 airplane T-hangars, terminal and equipment buildings, and water/sewer lines. A new trackless vehicle, an upgraded AWOS (automated weather observing system), a new card reader system, and new security system were also added.

Funding came from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), about 82 percent, or $14.4 million; Garrett County, about 14 percent, or $2.4 million; Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), about 4 percent, or $691,000; and Federal Emergency Management Agency, about .002 percent, or $37,500.

Kelley said he compiled some before-construction and after-construction statistics, which indicate the expansion costs were a “very good investment” for the county.

In 2004, total sales at the airport amounted to $28,889, compared to $183,476 last year, according to Kelley.

“So, you can see the large jump in total sales,” he told the commissioners.

The average number of flights per day also increased. In ’04, there were 4.55 per day, compared to 7.85 last year when the expansion project was completed.

Kelley also noted there was a “large jump” in jet A fuel and avgas sales. In ’04, there were 8,465 gallons sold for a total income of $22,628. Last year, 24,349 gallons were sold, garnering the county $96,078.

More hangars at the airport also means more income for the county. In ’04, the county had only four hangars and received $3,760 in rent. Last year’s income was $76,806.

Read the rest of the article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Legislation To Help GC Doctors Fails House, Senate Committees

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Legislation To Help GC Doctors Fails House, Senate Committees

Mar. 11, 2010

Legislation offered by both Del. Wendell R. Beitzel and Sen. George C. Edwards failed to receive approval of the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committees this week. The legislation proposed to include Garrett County doctors performing obstetrical services under the classification of state employee over the next five years.
“This legislation did not increase state spending,” said Beitzel. “All it sought to do was provide much needed medical liability insurance assistance for family doctors who provide obstetrical service for the women and children of Garrett County.”

The family practitioners were receiving a subsidy as a result of a 2007 legislation presented by Beitzel and Edwards that was subsequently signed into law by Gov. O’Malley. The legislation provided more than $750,000 over three year, but had a sunset provision that ended the subsidy on Dec. 31, 2009.

Money for the physicians’ medical malpractice insurance subsidy was provided from the Rate Stabilization Fund. Subsequent efforts to continue the subsidy by legislation introduced by both Beitzel and Edwards failed in 2009 after receiving considerable opposition by the O’Malley administration, which earlier had diverted the proceeds from the Rate Stabilization Fund for other uses.

“Garrett County is unique,” Beitzel told the House Judiciary Committee. “There is no other county in the state that is in the same position that we are in. Because the next best hospital is at least 45 minutes to an hour away, this is a women’s health issue.”

Garrett County is Maryland’s sole jurisdiction without a practicing obstetrician. The county relies on the high quality obstetrical care provided by four family practitioners and has some of the state’s best birth outcome indicators, Beitzel noted.

Read the rest of the article here.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Garrett Petminders – Deep Creek Lake & Garrett County

A few weeks ago, I received an email with some info about Garrett Petminders. I wanted to share it, as I think it’s a great service and fits a lot of needs for pet owners. The picture is of my dog Zora, part Husky/Border Collie :)~

Garrett PetMinders
Jay Clark: 301.334.2950
Kathleen Gibbs: 301.334.0674

garrettpets@verizon.net

************
Initial Consultation: $20.00
*We request that this interview take place at least 48 hours before first pet-sitting visit.*

Daily Pet Sitting: $25.00 UP TO 2 PETS. Includes up to 4 visits per day of at least ½ hour duration. $5.00 per pet for each additional pet per day. Pet visitations include water change & feeding as directed, plus play and/or walking. For cats and small mammals, we clean cages & litter boxes and other areas as specified, change water & food, play or companion if desired. Visits may be arranged according to the owner’s desires. Earliest daily visit not earlier than 7AM – last visit at night not later than 10 PM.

Medication – $5.00 per day – any/all oral meds per pet
Pet Taxi during Sitting – $10.00 per trip + mileage
* Emergency Visitation (less than 24 hr. notice): $10.00 over reg. charge
Holiday Visits: Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve/New Years Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and all other Federal Holidays:+ $10 over reg. charge

Other Services:
Pet Taxi (to Vet, Groomer or other): $30.00/hr.
Includes any portion thereof
(plus mileage if applicable)
Dog Walking: $20.00 per first ½ hour
$10.00 each add’l. ½ hr.

*Also included: light pet grooming/brushing, light house sitting (change lights, get mail, take out trash, water plants, other light chores as agreed). Clients north of Accident, MD or out of state agree to pay a mileage charge of $0.45/mi. We keep a journal for each pet each time we visit. This is your record of your pet’s activities during your absence and should be kept for re-use the next time we visit your pet(s)!

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

February 2010 Homes Sales in Garrett County & Deep Creek Lake



The nasty weather definitely had an adverse affect on the local real estate market in February with only 6 residential settlements. It’s next to impossible to show and sell houses with 5-10 foot drifts at residential homes, let alone vacation homes which may not have seen a snowplow in weeks! 

There are signs of a stronger spring ahead of us, as there are 33 ‘contracts’ in place which will close over the coming months and the economic indicators for the country are improving. 

3 of the 6 sales were Deep Creek Lake area, and the other appear to be primary residential. 

The average list vs. ORIGINAL sales price is 79.34% (down from January), though the ADJUSTED list vs. sales price is 88.31% of asking price (also down from January). There was at least one foreclosure/bank owned property included in these stats, so that often skews the numbers somewhat. 

The current number of active/for sale residential listings is 575. 33 of these homes are under contract. This is a net reduction from January 2009 (11 less homes for sale, 3 more under contract). Slowly but surely, our inventory numbers are continuing to decrease! Expect an increase of homes on the market in the spring, when more people historically decide to test the waters. Prices have stabilized and are increasing on average over the past few months! 

Here are the statistical breakdowns: 

Average Sale Price: $309,200 

Average Days on Market: 164/296 (days on market with current broker/total days on market) 


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350