ResalesHoward County, Maryland: Winter Hasn"t Chilled Housing Sales
Frosty holiday mornings haven"t slowed the housing market in Howard County, Maryland yet, although a seasonal slowdown is expected.
"The traditional increased daily inventory of the real estate market will come," says Realtor Leon Hasnain. "Home prices have continued to appreciate at most respectful rates for sellers, and the friendly Federal Reserve Board has continued to keep interest rates at all time historically low rates assisting buyers. These low rates have continued to stimulate the real estate market and economy, and assist Buyers by allowing them to purchase more home."
Explains RealtorNellie Arrington, "Located between Washington and Baltimore, Howard County boasts a diverse economy and excellent schools, and it maintains a high quality of living."
She adds, "This remains a healthy market for sellers, but buyers have become wary about purchasing houses priced above what they perceive as reasonable value for the property"s size, condition, and location. Prices trend up, but not as strongly as they did earlier in the year. Some prices have been reduced, but those reflect overly-aggressive listing prices when the houses came onto the market. Buyers may still face multiple offers from competing purchasers, and need to make their best offers first, with full financing in place."
"Beautiful Howard County with its rolling hills, excellent highway system, and great schools is a wonderful place to live," exults Realtor Emilie Christiansen, "History and mystery abound in Howard county from whispered ghost tales in 230-year old Ellicott City, home to the oldest railroad station in America, to the healing powers of a relic of St. Anthony at the St. Joseph Cupertino Franciscan Friary.
She advises, "Explore African-American history at the African Art Museum of Maryland and the Howard County Center of African American Culture, located in Columbia. And enjoy scenic areas such as the Patapsco Valley State Park and Columbia"s Lake Kittamaqundi, where pedalboats are a favorite past time. The Bollman Truss Bridge is also something to see. Located at the foot of Savage Mill, it is one of only two of its kind left in the world. Howard County is located along the Baltimore-Washington corridor and has a population of 185,000."
As far as the market goes, Christiansen says, "It"s still very much a sellers market. We need more listings. There are still too few homes on the market but there are fewer purchasers. I have not seen prices go up."
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