Almost everybody likes a good scare every once and a while. However, where can one get a good scare “fix” when it is not Halloween? One good place to look is one of the oldest cities in America, with a long (and sometimes bloody) history. Annapolis, Maryland, is one of the oldest cities in America (founded in 1649) and is filled with tantalizing stories of ghosts and the long-dead. Come find out these dark tales in a walking ghost tour.

Walking Ghost Tour by Lantern Light

Tired of ghost hunting television shows filmed through night-vision goggles as the camera races about?  In Annapolis, ghost tours are done right with the light of a lantern. While you are led through historic Annapolis to the sites of some of its darker past, you will get a chance to view some of the oldest and most historic buildings in the United States.  Highly knowledgeable guides take you through these ghost tours and you'll hear the tales of some of Annapolis’ more colorful departed.

Tales from the Dark Side

Guides will walk you back into Annapolis’ past where you’ll hear the tales of the likes of the Headless Man whose sword fight ended up not in his favor. Hear how Joe Morgue dug graves for 50 years and did not let death stop him from his work!  The tours are conducted at a calm pace and take anywhere from 90 to 120 minutes.

Ghosts, History and maybe some Beer
Tours are broken up by the Walking Ghost Tour and the Haunted Pub Crawls Tours.  Both will wind you though the beautiful and historic section of Old Town Annapolis. For those whose palate runs more towards hops than horror, there is also a craft-beer tour and the Hidden Pub Crawl filled with murder, sex and scandal!

How Do I Join The Fun?

The best way is to get tickets is by going directly to the tour company. Tours are offered every night of the week although the hours vary from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a price of $18 per person. There are even Groupons available for these tours.  Want to avoid a crowd of tourists? You and up to 35 of your friends can schedule your own ghost tour.  Prices start at $250 for a minimum of 15 guests with $13 per extra person.

William Paca House History

Originally designed as a one-story house, The William Paca House was altered in the 19^th century by the addition of a second story and the conversion of the house to a hotel. Changes to the inside and exterior have since been restored so the house hues close to its original appearance. Governor Paca lived in the house from 1765 to 1780 when he sold the house to a Maryland attorney.

Historic Annapolis acquired the house in 1965 after plans were made to demolish the home and put in high-rises and the surrounding property was acquired by the state of Maryland. In 1971, the Paca House was declared a national landmark.

The Paca Gardens

Two acres of lush plants and trees surround the Paca House in a pleasure garden originally designed by William Paca. Much of the garden fell into disarray in the late 19^thcentury after the house was converted into a hotel. An extensive campaign to restore the gardens to their original beauty took place in the late 1960’s. Much of the beauty of the gardens including a pond, canal and bridge were considered lost but were later discovered after excavation work began on the gardens.

The upper terrace of the gardens provides space for gathering and entertaining. The middle terrace shows off heirloom roses and colorful blooms and period style landscaping. The lower terrace of the garden houses a pond whose bridge leads to the summer house and includes lush paths through lawns and native plants.

Tours

Once known as Carvell Hall, this national landmark is open to tours for individuals and groups. Daily tours are available and last 40 minutes. Self-tours of the gardens are available any time during business hours. The William Paca House is closed for tours during the month of January and re-opens for tours in February.  Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $5 for kids and teens aged 6 to 17 and children under 5 are free.  For reservations or more information click on the Historical Annapolis Foundation Website or call 410-990-4543.

A Magical Holiday Tradition

Decked out for the holidays with a gingerbread model of Annapolis, the lobby of The Westin offers plenty of holiday cheer and lights as kids and adults take part in what is becoming one of the most sought-after holiday events in Annapolis. Characters from the Ballet Theatre of Maryland pose for holiday pictures and greet guests as they gather in the lobby. An abundance of hot chocolate and holiday treats are served while The Nutcracker Ballet comes alive. Ballerinas from the cast of The Nutcracker Ballet perform excerpts of Tchaikovsky’s classic.

After the ballet, Santa and Mrs. Claus make a special appearance to read A Night before Christmas before heading back to the North Pole. Each child attending this special event receives a toy from Franklin Toys and adults get a special tea sampler from Capital Teas. Door prizes from Smyth Jewelers and a child’s tea set are given away at each sitting.

Tickets and Information

Tickets for The Nutcracker Tea are $42 each and tend to sell out quickly with sittings in the morning and afternoon. Families and groups of friends can reserve tables. Buy tickets by calling 410-267-9390 or online.

Post-Tea Activities

A stroll down the cobblestone streets after this magical performance is a must. Families can look out onto the Chesapeake Bay or grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants. Galleries, shopping centers, and tours of downtown Annapolis are just minutes away. Tickets are also available for those who want to see full performances of the Nutcracker by Ballet Theatre of Maryland.

The Nutcracker Tea is one of the many holiday events for Annapolis families to enjoy. With hot chocolate, tea, and an up-close look at ballerinas in action, kids and adults alike will get into the holiday spirit and leave with smiles on their faces.

Exclusive Waterfront Dinning

The evening begins on December 10^th with fine waterfront dinning at the Severn Inn. With a great view of the Naval Academy Bridge,the Severn Inn is popular place to take out of town guests for a drink or casual dining at the popular Sunday brunch.

While taking in panoramic views of Annapolis and the Severn River, diners can relax and choose from a menu of local and seasonal dishes along with the catch of the day. After dinner and drinks, it’s all aboard the Catherine Marie for dessert and an hour and a half cruise around the Chesapeake Bay.

Cruising in Style

Each year, the members of the Eastport Yacht Club decorate more than 70 power and sail boats with everything from sparkling lights to elaborate moving displays and parade through the Annapolis Harbor during this holiday tradition. From the simple boats with blinking lights to the elaborately decorated displays depicting Santa and his reindeer to showing support for the Naval Academy, this event is fun for the whole family and draws hundreds of people to area. The best view of the annual Parade of Lights can be seen from one of the three decks of the Catherine Marie. Annapolis is rich with naval history and colonial heritage and is considered the center of the sailing and boating community in the Mid-Atlantic.

Champagne and Fireworks

After dessert and viewing of the lights, the evening ends with a champagne toast and fireworks display and a short cruise back to shore. Parking is free at the Severn Inn so there’s no need to rush back to shore after the tour.

Book a Passage

There are many ways to ring in the holidays in the Annapolis area including taking in a concert, going on a holiday walking tours, and participating in extended midnight madness shopping hours in the downtown area. To truly make your holiday season special this year, book a passage on the Parade of Lights Tour. This December 10^th is the date, and the tour is costs $119 per person and fills up quickly.

College football breeds rivalries and one of the greatest, capturing the imagination of America, is the Army-Navy game. This year’s Army-Navy game will be played on December 10, in Washington, D.C. with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m.

There are many types of college football rivalries with colorful histories including “The Game” between Michigan and Ohio State, the “Civil War” between the University of Oregon and Oregon State or the Iron Bowl matching Alabama and Auburn. But year after year, the Army-Navy game uniquely pits the two oldest service academies, and the game has a long history going back almost to the start of the sport.

The Game

This long time, inter-service rivalry between the Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and the Black Knights of the U.S. StatesMilitary Academy at West Point, NY has continued since the first game in 1890. This game came about due to a challenge to Cadet Dennis Mahan and his Army squad by the Navy team. From that first game held at West Point to today, the rivalry has caught the attention of the entire nation.

This game has often been played the weekend after Thanksgiving with it usually being held in Pennsylvania being half-way between the two Academies.This year’s contest will be held in Washington, D.C. at FedEx Field.

This rivalry featured the first use of instant replay in football, during the Army-Navy Game of 1963, where a one-yard touchdown was overturned. The importance of who wins the Army-Navy game is such that much of the life in West Point and Annapolis revolves around this yearly contest. So much so that the weights in the gyms at the Naval Academy have been stamped with Beat Army!

The Mascots

Both team mascots have a long association with their service. The USNA mascot, Bill the Goat, comes from a Navy legend of a ship mascot who died during a cruise but whose skin was kept for later taxidermy. However the two midshipman stopped along the way to catch the Army-Navy game on the way to the taxidermist and one choose to wear the pelt which is credited for helping win the game. The Army Mule mascot is actually three mules, each of which have their own unique names such as Raider or Ranger. The mule has long been associated with the Army from hauling supplies to pulling canons.

The Competition

Currently Navy leads Army with 55 wins, 49 losses and 7 ties. However just being the leader in wins hides many of the event’s notable games. In 1945, when Army & Navy went into the game as the #1 and #2 teams, Army beat the 7-0-1 Navy team in what was then called the Game of the Century.

Don’t miss this year’s Army-Navy game on December 10

The CPC

The Columbia Pro Cantare (CPC) has been dubbed “one of the elite choirs of Maryland” by the Baltimore Sun. Founded in 1977 by Frances Dawson, the CPC has been delighting crowds throughout Howard County and Baltimore with music ranging from opera and show-tunes to oratorios and spirituals. Since the formation of the Columbia Pro Cantare, an estimated 100,000 people have been exposed to some of the best musicals works ever created. 

A Christmas Noël

In what is becoming is becoming a Howard County holiday tradition, the Columbia Pro Cantare is proud to perform A Christmas Noël on December 11^th at the Christ Episcopal Church starting at 3:00 p.m. The Christmas Noël performance will be mixture of classic holiday music from the Renaissance era to the present day. Twenty eight hand-picked members of the CPC known as the Chamber Singers will perform and its founder, Francis Dawson, will be conducting. Information on this event can also be found on the CPC Facebook page. 

 The Old Brick

The location for the concert is the Christ Episcopal Church at 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD. This church, dubbed “the Old Brick” stands on the original site of one of the first churches built in North America. The original church was built in 1728 as part of Queen Caroline Parish. The current church was constructed in 1809 and was added to the National Register of Historic sites in 1978. The Old Brick is not only worth visiting for its historic value but is well known for its sound quality which makes the Christmas Noël performance even more attractive.

MARYLAND'S HIGHEST COURT STRIKES DOWN LAW THAT
EXTINGUISHES UNREGISTERED GROUND RENTS

The adjusted average listing price is $743,668, an increase of $6,270.

Price Per Square Foot: The average price per square foot for real estate in Annapolis for this time period was $245, an increase of 4.3% compared to the same period last year.

Median Sales: From June 11 to Aug. 11, the median sales price in Annapolis for homes was $368,700. This number was calculated using 234 home sales.

The median sales price of homes in the area increased by 3.3%, or $11,950, compared to the same period last year. Also, the number of home sales decreased 6.4%.  

Resale and New Homes: As of Oct. 2011, nearly 849 resale and new homes were listed on the real estate website Trulia for the city of Annapolis.

These listings included 16 open houses, 54 homes in the foreclosure process, including pre-foreclosure, auction, and bank-owned properties.

The information in this blog post is based on data listed on the real estate statistic aggregating website Trulia. The accuracy of the information contained herein is judged as reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

For great ideas on everything home related, check out the The Maryland Home and Garden Show, to be held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium Friday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 16, (*specific dates, times and fees listed below).It’s the perfect place to get ideas and talk to hundreds of contractors in one location.

Enjoy the judged craft show, featuring items of beauty and artistic elegance. There will be more than 300 home improvement exhibits showcasing everything from baths and kitchens to patios and decks, to spas, windows, additions...in a word, everything! And many of the builder’s exhibits are likely to have several products on hand that you’re not going to find anywhere else.   

Some of the other exhibits at this year’s Maryland Home and Garden Show include unique fitness, beauty and health products, as well as exotic and affordable travel ideas.

Perhaps the best way to find what you’re looking for (especially the stuff that you didn’t even know you needed) is to attend some of the exhibitor’s shows. For a complete listing of shows and times, go to The Maryland Home and Garden Show’s website, roll your cursor over the ATTENDEES tab at the top of the page and click on SEMINARS (Or just click on the word SEMINARS here or in the previous sentence.)         

For more home and garden tips, ideas, information and news from local contractors, garden experts and related organizations specifically targeting your Maryland home and garden, check out the Maryland Home & Garden Blog.

*SHOW TIMES

ADMISSION FEES

Free Admission for Active Military, Police & Fire Employees with ID

According to its website, the U.S. Powerboat Show is the oldest and biggest in-water powerboat exhibition in the nation and attracts more than 40,000 attendees.

Power boats of all shapes and sizes, makes and models sparkle and gleam as they conjure up images of slicing through white caps, tan torsos waterskiing and kicking up rooster-tail wakes.

As a power boat enthusiast, you can probably smell the marine gas and oil, feel the cool, comfortable grip of the captain’s wheel, and hear the low growl of the muscular engine as it idles just by looking at one of these sleek, superfast craft.

Here you will encounter the world’s largest power catamaran section, along with the following watercraft styles:

• Luxurious motor yachts
• High-performance boats
• Offshore fishing vessels
• Family cruisers
• Center consoles
• Inflatables
• And much more!

There will also be an enormous selection of marine equipment, high-tech electronics, accessories, and gear to drool over, as well as boating lessons and rentals. Insurance firms and lending institutions will also be on hand to answer any related questions.

Special Features for 2011

• Take the Wheel Interactive Workshop, including Boat Demos
• Seminars by Chesapeake Bay Magazine
• The Latest in Navigation Equipment and Information
• Trailerable Boats
• Grand Prize Drawing, 1-Week Charter to British Virgin Islands, via Moorings Charters, with Airfare Sponsored By BVI Tourism Board

Click here to buy tickets!

VIP Combo                                    Oct. 13 - 16 $47

VIPs are: Boat journalists and other press members, boat manufacturers and serious buyers. The opening days set aside for VIPs to devote more time and attention to customers and the press, which means that buyers get more hassle-free time to ask questions and inspect the models.

Undergraduates, also known as midshipmen at the Academy, receive an exemplary four-year education that builds character, body and mind. The core curriculum includes courses in science, mathematics, engineering, humanities, leadership, morality and physical training. This well-rounded education produces honorable and effective officers. Extracurricular activities are also available at the academy to broaden each midshipman’s horizons beyond the classroom, including community service groups, heritage clubs and social and religious groups.

Even if you aren’t attending the Academy, there is much to do and see at the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. The Visitor Center has guided tours daily that will show and teach visitors about the extraordinary history of the Academy and its most distinguished graduates. Some must-sees here include the U.S. Naval Academy Museum, the Crypt of John Paul Jones, a Navy war hero, and the Naval Academy Chapel. There is also an inspirational film and more exhibits at the Visitor Center to enhance your understanding of what it means to be in the U.S. Navy. Learn a little bit about U.S. history and show some pride in your country by visiting the U.S. Naval Academy today!

Cancer is a disease that affects us all in some way. Everyone knows someone afflicted, whether it’s ourselves, a family member or a friend. The Ride for Life gives all of us the opportunity to help in the fight. Riders get a free Tek shirt along with the knowledge and feeling that they have truly made a difference in someone’s life. Come enjoy a fun bike ride through the peaceful Maryland countryside and support the American Cancer Association at the same time! You can visit http://www.rideforlife-makingadifference.org/page7.html for more information and details on the event.

The Annapolis Marine Art Gallery, the Main St. Gallery and the American Craftworks Collection are just a small sample of the galleries that will be displaying their work and providing demonstrations to the public. Potters and painters will be showing art lovers how their work is created and the detail that goes into each piece. Guests will not only get the opportunity to see quality local art up close, but will enjoy the opportunity to learn more about different art forms. Even if you attended the event last year, don’t think that it will be the same in 2011. This year’s Annapolis Art Walk features new artists displaying their skill and craftsmanship in various forms of media and visual arts. Annapolis is blessed with a wide variety of artistic talent, so come visit downtown Annapolis and enjoy the local culture!

Make Some Money

And Make A Difference!!!

 "Bargain Sales" to Charity 

Maryland General Assembly 2011 Legislative Update – Real Estate Brokerage and Contracts

HB – 509 – REAL PROPERTY – MORTGAGES – ENFORCEMENT – STATUS: PASSED – Effective April 12, 2011 – Authorizes the Commissioner of Financial Regulation to enforce the foreclosure and mortgage fraud laws in Maryland.  Clarifies that the Commission may use certain investigative authority as well as compel violators of the law to make restitution to victims.

HB – 944 – FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS – MORTGAGE LENDERS AND MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATORS – STATUS: PASSED – Effective October 1, 2011 – Requires a person who is exempt from State Mortgage Licensing requirements to register with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) if the person employs a licensed mortgage loan originator.  This change conforms to State Law with new requirements in the Federal Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE ACT).

HB – 1038 – COMMERCIAL LAW – RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS – ESCROW AMOUNTS – STATUS: PASSED – Effective October 1, 2011 – Prohibits a lender from charging interest for up to one year on the amount of additional escrow money a lender requires a borrower to pay after establishment of the original escrow.

HB – 1041/SB – 256 – BUSINESS REGULATION – DEFINITION OF HOMEBUILDER – STATUS PASSED – Effective October 1, 2011 – Requires developers to register as a homebuilder if the developer enters into contracts with consumers to provide or construct homes.

HB – 1049 – REAL ESTATE BROKERS – INTRACOMPANY AGENTS – STATE PASSED: Effective October 1, 2011 – Authorizes a broker to appoint another licensee in the office to designate the intra-company agents working for the same real estate team.  The designee appointed by the broker may not be a member of that real estate team.   Prior to this change, the broker of record was the only licensee authorized to designate the intra-company agents for real estate teams.

http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/07leg/html/sessions/2011.html

According to Cathy A. Werner, President of the Maryland Association of Realtors, over 8,000 members of the National Association of Realtors from around the country were in Washington, D.C. to meet with their states’ Congressional Delegations.  Their message was simple:  “Don’t let homeownership become out of reach for future generations.”

They urged their members of Congress to remember some key points as they make decisions that threaten homeownership:

Maintain the mortgage interest deductions (MID).  Any change to this deduction will slow the housing recovery in Maryland, where home owners are the highest users of MID in the country.  They were urged to cosponsor H.Res 25 to keep the MID.

 Allow for reasonable down payments.  The proposed 20% regulatory requirements for “qualified residential mortgages” will subject the vast majority of credit worthy borrowers to higher rates and other hurdles.  Congress must ensure that home mortgage loans are available to credit worthy consumers in every community.  Increasing down payments only puts homeownership out of reach for many Maryland families. 

 Preserve the 30-year fixed rate home mortgage.  The federal government must have a role in the secondary mortgage market.  If it does not, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage will be a thing of the past, and mortgage rates with much higher.

Email your Congressional Representative to tell them :  “Don’t let homeownership become out of reach for future generations.”

Maryland General Assembly 2011 Legislative Update – Real Estate Brokerage and Contracts

HB – 289/SB 410 – STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION – UNAUTHORIZED SIGNS ON HIGHWAY RIGHTS-OF-WAY – STATUS: PASSED – Effective October 1, 2011 – Authorizes local governments (on behalf of the state) to enforce the current prohibition against signs on state highway rights-of-way through an administrative fine and sign collection.  The fine is $25 per sign, and requires local jurisdictions to forego collecting fines for the first three months so that individuals may be educated about the new requirement.

HB - 379/SB-334 – REAL PROPERTY – DEPOSITS OF NEW HOMES  - ESCROW ACCOUNTS – STATUS: PASSED – Effective  July 1, 2011 – Clarifies that a builder must open  an escrow account prior to construction of a new residential unit, and maintain the funds  in the account until the home is completed.  Clarifies that money deposited in an escrow account to pay a construction draw schedule may be released in accordance with the draw schedule.   The bill addresses ambiguities in current law due to a recent court case.

For more information:  http://mlis.state.md.us/

Maryland General Assembly 2011 Legislative Update – Real Estate Brokerage and Contracts

HB-102 – FINANCIAL INSTITUIONS – MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATORS – PROHIBITED ACTS – STATUS: PASSED – Effective October 1, 2011 –  Prohibits a mortgage loan originatore from make a payment, threat, or promise in order to improperly influence the independent judgement of a  real estate appraiser.  However, HB102 stills permits a mortgage loan originator to request the appraiser to : consider additional information; provide further substantiation of appraiser’s conclustions; and correct errors.  Payment may also be withheld if the appraisal is subject to  a legal or administrative action.

HB-128 – CONSUMER LAW – MARYLAND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT – SCOPE – STATUS: PASSED – Effective October 1, 2011 – Adds merchants whose business includes paying off consumer debt in connection with consumer goods and realty to the purview of the unfair or deceptive trade practices act if the merchant is purchasing consumer goods or realty.

For more information:   http://mlis.state.md.us/

Maryland General Assembly 2011 Legislative Update – Affordable Housing and Taxes

HB-1245 – RECORDATION TAX AND STATE TRANSFER TAX – EXEMPTIONS – STATUS:  PASSED – Effective July 1, 2011 – Expands the class of intra-family real property transfers that are exempt from recordation and transfer taxes to grandparents and step-grandparents.

Maryland General Assembly 2011 Legislative Update – Miscellaneous

SB 182 – MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE ACT OF 2011 – STATUS: PASSED – Effective June 1, 2011 – Provides the initial framework of the Health Benefit Exchanges that will become available to all Marylanders in 2014.  These state exchanges are intended to provide greater choice and affordability in health insurance particularly to indidividuals like independent contractors.

Maryland General Assembly 2011 Legislative Update – Commercial

HB 463 – PROPERTY TAX – SEMI-ANNUAL PAYMENT SCHEDULE – BUSINESS PROPERTY – STATUS: PASSED – Effective to tax years starting after June 30, 2012 – Expands the number of businesses that may pay property taxes under a semi-annual schedule.  Under the existing law, only a small business assigned a commercial use code by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation and whose annual property taxes does not exceed $50,000 may pay property taxes on a semi-annual schedule.  This bill allows any business assigned a commercial use code and paying property taxes up to $100,000 to pay taxes semi-annually.

HB 601 – SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES TAX CREDIT PROGRAM – ELIGIBILITY – STATUS: PASSED: Effective July 1, 2011 – Clarifies that the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit may be used for commercial properties that have already begun rehabilitation work, if the rehabilitation work had already been approved under the Federal Historic Tax Credit.

For more information:   http://mlis.state.md.us/

Thought you may be interested in knowing some of the results of the bills passed in the 2011 Maryland General Assembly regarding Real Estate Transactions in Maryland.  Below is a summary of the most important legislation affecting Real Estate.

HB 72 – BUDGET RECONCILIATION AND FINANCING ACT OF 2011 – RECORDING FEES -STATUS: PASSED – Effective July 1, 2011 – July1, 2015 – Increases the real estate recording fee, for each recordable document from $20.00 to $40.00. 

HB 437 – REAL PROPERTY – SALES OF NEW HOMES – MINIMUM VISITABILITY FEATURES – STATUS: PASSED – Applies to any planned subdivision receiving preliminary plan approval on or after October 1, 2012. – Requires certain new subdivisions receiving preliminary plan approval on or after October 1, 2012 to offer consumers an option to purchase a “visitable” home.  The law applies only to subdivisions of 11 or more single family, detached units.  To be “visitable,” a home must include a ground level entrance at least 36 inches in width and accessible to parking or a public right of way, with no vertical obstacles such as steps or curbs.

HB 521/SB 328 – ESTATES AND TRUSTS – TRANSFERS – RECORDATION AND TRANSFER TAXES – STATUS – PASSED – Effective July 1, 2011 – Clarifies that transfer and recordation taxes may not be imposed on a mortgage or deed of trust that is transferred as part of an estate or trust to a beneficiary or a trust as long as there was no consideration.  The bill provides a more uniform treatment of estate and trust property; some counties impose transfer and recordation taxes on the mortgage or deed of trust when property is transferred as part of the management of the estate or trust.