All Forum Posts by: Brandy Summerlin

I haven't seen it happen in Maryland but I noticed you mention Milwaukee and Chicago. It looks like Chicago works the same, I found an article specifically about Chicago tax assessment  from earlier this year where it has direct quotes from the tax and assessment officials saying that they won't raise it if you appeal.  It jurisdiction is different  but it seems like many if not most give you a "free shot" to score a lower tax bill.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/zorn/ct-property-tax-appeals-appalling-zorn-perspec-0618-md-20170617-column.html

Here is the information outlining your responsibilities: http://mde.maryland.gov/programs/LAND/Documents/Le...

Main page for MD Dept of the Environment regarding lead: http://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Land/LeadPoisonin...

In my experience it's $200-400 to have the inspector come in and it to be registered in the MDE database.

EDIT: Database to look up licensed lead inspectors http://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/LeadPoisoningPrevention/Pages/LeadInspectors.aspx

The battery must be sealed or "tamper resistant".  Here is a combo CO2 and smoke detector, I'm sure there are others but I've had luck with this brand, this is just the first one I saw on the website. Use those keywords and you should be able to find others. On the link, if you scroll through the pictures it shows each state that requires this type.  https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kidde-Worry-Free-10-Year-Sealed-Lithium-Battery-Smoke-and-Carbon-Monoxide-Combination-Alarm-with-Voice-Warning-21027454/205842861

You're right it does appear confusing. Part of the problem is that it isn't Anne Arundel County's website you're looking at, a bot copied and pasted and the spacing got messed up from what's on the county page.  The way it reads on the actual link is that paneling appears to be okay.  I would still highly recommend verifying with the Dept of Planning and Zoning , they are generally the best place to start. http://www.aacounty.org/departments/inspections-and-permits/permit-center/building-codes/residential-code-requirements/ Furthermore, lots of things can potentially be grandfathered in. Don't spend the money unless you have to.  Make sure to get your lead cert since the building is pre-1978 though. I'm not sure if anyone told you about the process with Maryland Dept of the Environment. Fingers crossed for no lead paint.

As for the fire alarm, it appears that on the page you're posting it's only referencing new builds however, that is outdated information due to a new law. As of January 1, 2018, you will need sealed 10 year smoke detectors - state law which supersedes county. https://www.naahq.org/news-publications/maryland-s... With everything please call Planning and Zoning or the appropriate department to double check because I'm a real estate agent not a code expert but hopefully this information gives you a little bit of direction on it.

It depends on the type of home but I tend to really like Second Chance Inc in Baltimore. It doesn't work for everything but occasionally kitchen cabinet deals or if something is running over budget I can grab second hand deals there. It's also for a good cause. There are builder auctions that perhaps you can check out a quick google generally will bring a few up. Most of them in the area that I've dealt with are in Baltimore. I've found that for most things if I buy from the same person/company repeatedly, I begin to get the best deals from them.  There are several discount granite, cabinet and fixture places in NoVA and Baltimore but which one to use depends on your budget and timeline. There are deals out there but you have to decide if the time for the legwork to go pick up the purchases piecemeal is better for you and your time/budget than just getting things at a central location. I do know that some of the supply houses are great for lighting/electrical/plumbing/HVAC/etc. Schumacher and Seiler is near you and they have a showroom in Crofton, they sell all the plumbing stuff.  Most of the supply houses will allow you to set up a credit account based on personal or business credit. If you do decide to go with Home Depot, they have a bidroom they can put things through to potentially lower the full price, it's done through the Contractor Services Desk which only has limited hours- I don't recall if they need to attach an MHIC license to that in order to submit for bid. They also have Project Loans which are good because as long as your project is less than 6 months, you can pay it back with very little out of pocket during the flip. There are a million ways to work it. I would recommend making a list of what you need, sectioning that into "departments", and getting at least 3 bids for any construction related project.  If you have specific needs for a project you're working I may be able to point you in the right direction.

If you hire any reputable company for either encapsulation or removal they will need to know if it's lead so they know how to proceed, 9x out of 10.  If there are any flakes or if it may be disturbed in the process and it happens to be lead paint the contractor/painter will have to follow EPA standards per the RRP Rule. Keep this in mind while pricing things because it can be costly due to the painter/contractor being required to wear ventilators and I believe they also have to have EPA training. If you plan on renting in MD, it additionally needs an inspection and certification for lead prior to renting out. Here's some info that may assist with your decision. http://mde.maryland.gov/programs/LAND/LeadPoisonin...

Welcome to BP!! As an agent focusing on Central and Southern Maryland, I can say that you are making a great choice by investing in the DC and Baltimore metros. Congrats on moving forward with your investing!

Until you have a fully executed contract-- meaning both parties have agreed on terms and signed, on the MD contract page 14 of the main contract should have an acceptance date--- you can and should continue to show until then.  Even then some agents will still continue to show as long as there is a contingency. I personally do not do this and it's caused tension with buyers when they found out the seller was still showing but as far as I know there is nothing stopping them because it is "Contingent Kick Out" or "Contingent No Kick Out" and not listed as "Contract" in the MRIS. You should however give the courtesy of telling the potential buyers that schedule the showing the status. When in doubt ask your agent about how they handle things or voice how you would prefer things handled. BEWARE: Please be advised that in Maryland an email can be an enforceable contract in some cases if the buyer was feeling especially froggy. And I would strongly caution any "casual negotiation" via email because of the statutes we have in place.

Was this the article? https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/04/18/leverage-vs-pay-cash-rental-properties-debate/

If you can't find an investor, find a builder. In my area (MD,USA), it's increasingly popular to partner with a builder on a lot and sell it with a "to be built" home. Many buyers appreciate that they can choose the finishings for their home and that it is brand new. The builder appreciates that they don't have to sit on the cost of a fully built home they can just provide a rendering for the listing. And you don't have to compromise on selling at good subdivided profit. I'm not sure if this is advisable because I don't know all the details about your project or local law. I know this probably isn't the info you were hoping for but it may be another option.