March 2010 – Page 7 – Jay's Real Estate Blog

House Committee To Review Beitzel's Wind Turbine Bills

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House Committee To Review Beitzel’s Wind Turbine Bills

Mar. 11, 2010

The House Economic Matters Committee will hear three separate proposals sponsored by Del. Wendell Beitzel next Tuesday, March 16 – House Bills 390, 791, and 1013.
HB 390 would give the Garrett County commissioners the authority to enact ordinances regarding commercial grade wind turbines. Specifically, the measure would authorize the commissioners to enact ordinances regarding setbacks and the decommissioning of wind turbines.

This bill has been supported by the Garrett County commissioners and the Garrett County Board of Realtors, Beitzel noted.

“This measure was brought to Sen. George Edwards and me as a request from the Garrett County commissioners during a pre-legislative meeting to set minimal standards for wind turbine development in Garrett County,” Beitzel said.

HB 791 and 1013 would be statewide in scope. HB 791 would require the Public Service Commission and the Department of Natural Resources to jointly develop performance standards regarding wind-powered electric generating turbines erected in the state.

HB 1013 would require a surcharge, bond, or other security for the removal of wind-powered electric generating facilities in the event that they outlive their usefulness.

“These measures provide some much needed regulatory controls for wind turbine projects with capacity of less than 70 megawatts that have been exempted from the need to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity since the passage of Senate Bill 566 in 2007,” Beitzel added.

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

Suites at Silver Tree – Deep Creek Lake Condominiums

Community Profile: Silver Tree Suites at Deep Creek Lake via DCLinfo.com

Search for real estate for sale at Silver Tree Suites

Located on one of the last open parcels of lakeshore on Deep Creek Lake, Silver Tree Suites boasts unobstructed views of the lake and shoreline as well as a variety of impeccably kept outdoor spaces including outdoor fireplaces, fire-pit, beautiful decks and patios, all within easy walking distance to the Silver Tree Marina, and the historic Silver Tree Inn.

The historical precedent set by the Silver Tree Inn (independent restaurant connected to Silver Tree Suites) forms the cornerstone of the architectural design. The Inn, dating to just after World War II, was originally used as a lodge and later purchased and operated by the Lascaris family for over 27 years as one of the finest restaurants in the area.

Silver Tree Suites draws on many architectural icons from the historic Inn including use of heavy timber, and indigenous stone The lobby areas also incorporate dramatic use of timber trusses and opposing fireplaces similar to the original Inns dining room, attempting to reinterpret the original lodge feeling.

Special Features

2 buildings comprised of 50 total units – (Building A = 40 and Building B = 10)

Studio Hotel Suites

One Bedroom Hotel Suites

Studio Hotel Suites with Loft

One Bedroom Hotel Suites with Loft

Lake Views or Standard Units.

Most units each have an exterior deck. All units each have a gas fireplace & living room.

Located next door to Silver Tree Inn Restaurant & Silver Tree Marina.

Close proximity to virtually all Deep Creek Lake activities & Deep Creek Lake State Park.

A fitness center will have a Sauna and equipment to keep you trim and fit while on vacation.

The exterior deck will feature views of Deep Creek Lake State Park and Adirondack chairs to saok up the sun. A sun deck, covered porch and outdoor fireplace complete the picture.

A coffee shop with a sundries shop is
located lakeside right by the lakeside fireplace area.

The reading loft offers a great place to curl up with your favorite book
whether it be a day when snowflakes gently fall from the skies, or when
the leaves turn their golden colors in the fall. Designed to be a quiet
recluse for owners and guests enjoyment.

Located on one of the most prime lakefront on Deep Creek Lake, Silver Tree Suites boasts of unobstructed views of the lake, shoreline and surrounding Maryland mountains.

Level grounds, a luxury in lakefront properties, is inherent to this parcel.

Contact
567 Glendale Road
Oakland, MD 21550
(301) 387-0650

Suites at Silver Tree

*information is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed.

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

Harlem Globetrotters Play Frostburg State University

Cumberland Times-News

Scooter Christensen of the Harlem Globetrotters spins a basketball on top of another Monday evening in Bobcat Arena in the Cordts Physical Education Center at Frostburg State University. Players entertained the crowd as they played against the Washington Generals.

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

Pleasant Valley, Garrett County Maryland

I had someone send me this photo of their family farm in southern Garrett County over the weekend and I was reminded of a Garrett County gem – Pleasant Valley. It’s not a town, so you can’t find it on the map as an address, but it is a collection of farms, fields, and homes on Route 219 south of Oakland. There is a prevalent Amish population, generations of local farmers and lots of other cool places to drive by and see. My father had a home in the valley for 10 years or so while I was growing up, so I was fortunate enough to have experienced the beautiful sights, sounds (and smells) of this agricultural area. Pleasant Valley lies beneath the Backbone Mountain ridge, so the backdrop of the highest point in Maryland is equally impressive as you take in the beautiful sights and sounds of Pleasant Valley! Take a trip to see the working farms, and stop by one of the many ‘shops’ that you will encounter along the way. You buy everything from fresh produce and eggs to Garrett County’s own maple syrup, baking goods, fresh baked bread & yummy deserts. There are also fun activities like horse drawn carriage rides, the Backbone Mountain ski farm and you can even arrange a trip to see livestock on a Garrett County farm!

Want your own piece of the Valley? Railey Realty offers many diverse tracts of recreational land, farm/pasture land and homes in this beautiful are of Garrett County. You can search for real estate here, or I would be happy to help you find the property of your dreams in Southern Garrett County, Pleasant Valley and Backbone Mountain!

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

Deep Creek Lake – Did You Know?

Did You Know?

There are only 13 stoplights in all of Garrett County.

It is consistently 10-15° cooler here than in the Baltimore / Washington Metro area. Summers rarely get warmer than low 80’s.

The highest free-falling waterfall in Maryland is Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park.

Seven state forests and parks. Savage River State Forest is the largest state forest in Maryland. There are over 90,000 acres of publicly owned lands in Garrett County.

The air is so clean that vehicle emissions testing is not necessary.

Garrett County receives nearly double the snowfall of Fairbanks, Alaska.

The largest freshwater lake in Maryland, Deep Creek Lake, is 3,900 acres at a mountain elevation almost 1/2 mile high (2,462′) with 26 different fish species (including great ice fishing in the winter).

The highest mountain in Maryland is Backbone Mountain at 3,360′.

The best Autumn foliage in the state is celebrated with an old-fashioned, small-town, 4 day Autumn Glory Festival.

The Eastern Continental Divide runs through our county meaning most of the area drains to the Mississippi River, not the Chesapeake Bay.

Garrett County is very close to the headwaters of the Potomac River.

Maryland’s only alpine ski resort, Wisp Resort, has snowmaking capabilities that have been recognized worldwide.

Visitors can rent a place on the lake and get almost everywhere by boat—shopping, movies and even restaurants!

Recycling in Garrett County is free! drop off your items at one of 6 Collections Sites in the county.

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

Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station To Lower Lake Level; Users Cautioned

maryland depart

Mar. 4, 2010

The record snow fall in Garrett County could cause a record spring runoff. To avoid serious and potentially damaging high water conditions at Deep Creek Lake and at its dam, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has approved a request by Brookfield Renewable Power (owner of the Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station) to draw the lake level down two feet below its permitted March lower limit.
The draw-down, which began on March 1, will take place gradually, with a maximum of 0.5 feet reduction per day.

“Together with MDE, we are doing what we can to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of the spring thaw,” said David Barnhart, general manager for Brookfield’s Mid-America Operations. “As this winter proves, you never know what Mother Nature will throw at you, and an early, sustained thaw may result in higher than usual water levels.”

To a limited extent, Deep Creek Lake levels can be controlled by the hydroelectric station, which operates under a Water Appropriation and Use permit from the MDE. Under the permit conditions, the station uses water to generate hydropower, but keeps lake levels within a defined “rule band” with upper and lower limits.

The lowered water levels beneath the ice cover, combined with warming temperatures, pose unpredictable risks to recreational users of Deep Creek Lake.

“People should remember that there are always hazards to recreating on naturally-formed ice,” said Carolyn Mathews, manager of the Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area. “Lowering the lake to make additional storage space for the anticipated above-normal spring runoff may destabilize the lake’s ice. We urge everyone to take special care to stay safe.”

The MDE, Brookfield, and the Department of Natural Resources are continuing to monitor the lake levels and weather conditions to determine whether additional actions for safety of recreational users may be required

Lake levels can be found at www.deepcreekhydro.com

Read the full 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

Happy 133rd Birthday to the Republican Newspaper!

Jay’s note: Support the Republican Newspaper – I nominate the Republican and all of its staff as official ‘Garrett County All Stars’!! A year memebership online is only $9.95 – you’ll find more loose change in your house than that in a year!

The Republican newspaper officially turns 133 today, March 4. The first issue of the newspaper was published by James Hayden on March 4, 1877. The paper has been produced every week since.
The newspaper was launched by Hayden in that year, and was named in honor of the recently slain Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president. Hayden was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Union Army.

The paper was purchased in 1890 by Benjamin H. Sincell, who published his first issue on his 20th birthday in that year. It has been in the Sincell family since that time, with just four editors in its history: Hayden; B.H. Sincell until 1946, then George Hanst (brother of Elsie Hanst Sincell), who was editor from 1946 until 1977; and then Donald Sincell, editor from 1977 to the present.

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

Month: March 2010

House Committee To Review Beitzel's Wind Turbine Bills

Legislation To Help GC Doctors Fails House, Senate Committees

Suites at Silver Tree – Deep Creek Lake Condominiums

Garrett Petminders – Deep Creek Lake & Garrett County

Harlem Globetrotters Play Frostburg State University

February 2010 Homes Sales in Garrett County & Deep Creek Lake

Pleasant Valley, Garrett County Maryland

Deep Creek Lake – Did You Know?

Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station To Lower Lake Level; Users Cautioned

Happy 133rd Birthday to the Republican Newspaper!

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