By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 January 29th, 2010 Category: Community Profiles, Wisp Real Estate, Wisp Ski Resort

If you are just starting your property search in the Deep Creek Lake area, Wisp Ski Resort can be a little confusing with its many subdivisions and neighborhoods - each with different features and amenities. Some of the communities have ski-in/ski-out slope access - some don’t, some have lake access - some don’t, some have lake views - some don’t, some have slope access, lake access, and lake views - or a combination of the three. Confusing to say the least! Below is a quick summary for those of you considering buying home or building lot atop Wisp Mountain.

BOULDER RIDGE

A small gated community of single family residential homes adjacent to the Eye Opener ski slope, Main Street slope, and Chair lift #4. Great ski slope access from this community! Plus most of the building sites and homes have stunning views of Deep Creek Lake and the mountains of Garrett County. Easy walk to the ASCI Whitewater Course and Wisp Mountain Village.

• Ski-In/Ski-Out - Yes
• Lake Access - No
• Lake Views - Yes, most with stunning views!

Click here for real estate and homes for sale in Boulder Ridge at Wisp

KENDALL CAMP

A small gated community of duplex style residential townhomes that also have easy ski slope access. Each unit features 4 bedrooms, 1 car garage, and a log home architectural appearance.  Located very close to the top of the Main Street ski slope and Chair lift #4. Easy walk to ASCI and Wisp Mountain Village.

• Ski-in/Ski-Out - Yes
• Lake Access - No
• Lake Views - Generally No

Click here for real estate and town homes for sale in Kendall Camp at Wisp

NORTH CAMP AT WISP

A larger ski-in/ski-out community of single family homes and building lots located adjacent to Wisp’s North Camp ski slope expansion. From North Camp it’s a pretty easy walk to ASCI and Wisp Mountain Village. Most home sites and homes have expansive mountain views.  Neighborhood also includes the smaller community of Ridge Run - duplex style townhomes similar to Kendall Camp.

• Ski-in/Ski-Out - Yes
• Lake Access - No
• Lake Views - No, but expansive mountain views that go on forever!

Click here for real estate and homes for sale in North Camp atop Wisp

HIGHLINE AND HIGHLINE II

Smaller, non-gated communities of residential single family homes with ski slope access. Highline is located adjacent to the Main Street ski slope. Most of the homes in Highline have stunning views of Deep Creek Lake and McHenry Cove! Highline II is located across Wisp Mountain Road but still has slope access. A few homes in Highline II have lake views - most of have pretty good mountain views. A little farther walk to ASCI and Wisp Mountain from Highline. ASCI is probably too far of a walk from Highline II.

• Ski-In/Ski-Out - Yes
• Lake Access - No
• Lake Views - Some with really good lake views!

Click here for real estate and homes for sale in Highline and Highline II atop Wisp

DEEP CREEK HIGHLANDS

A larger, gated premier community of single family homes - many with stunning views of Deep Creek Lake. Community features an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, pavilion, lockers, paths, trails, and unique rock outcroppings.

• Ski-in/Ski-Out - No, you’ll have to get in your car and drive to the lodge at Wisp.
• Lake Access - Yes, a dedicated area on Marsh Hill Road - some boat slips available
• Lake Views - A good many of the homes and lots have great views of Deep Creek!

Click here for real estate and homes for sale in Deep Creek Highlands atop Wisp

OVERLOOK MOUNTAIN VILLAS

A town home development that is part of the Deep Creek Highlands association but not located within its neighborhood boundaries. Owners at Overlook Villas can use the outdoor swimming pool in the Highlands but are not allowed to use the lake access area. Many of the townhomes have great views of Deep Creek Lake.

• Ski-in/Ski-Out - No, you’ll have to get in your car and drive to the lodge at Wisp
• Lake Access - No
• Lake Views - Most have really good views of Deep Creek Lake!

Click here for real estate and town homes for sale in Overlook Mountain Villas atop Wisp

VILLAGES OF WISP

The original and first ski-in/ski-out development at Wisp Ski Resort. Most of the buildings were built in the late 80’s and early 90’s. All units have slope access, some have year round lake views, and all have lake access at a lakeside park along Marsh Hill Road. Some transient boat docks are available.

• Ski-in/Ski-Out - Yes
• Lake Access - Yes
• Lake Views - Some with year round views

Click here for real estate and town homes for sale at Villages of Wisp

You are probably still confused! That’s ok. That’s why we are here - to help you! If you would like to see any real estate, townhome, or building site for sale atop Wisp Ski Resort - give us a call or drop us an e-mail. We are experts on these communities and neighborhoods atop the mountain. We’ll help you find that perfect vacation home, townhome, or condo. Remember, we can show you any listed property for sale in the Deep Creek Lake area - even those listed with other real estate companies.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 January 22nd, 2010 Category: Garrett County News, News

Good news for owners of vacation rental homes at Deep Creek Lake. The Garrett County Commissioners decided this week that it is not in the best interest of the county at this time to pursue legislation that would have allowed them to increase the local hotel/motel tax which is currently 5%.

When it was reported last fall that such legislation would be pursued by the county government many of the local rental agencies - including Railey Mountain Lake Vacations - vehemently opposed on behalf of their homeowners. The reasoning was that in this soft economy many homeowners are having to discount their nightly rental rates just to attract the same amount of renters. The renters pay the accommodation tax when staying overnight in a vacation rental home or motel/hotel - and any increase in this tax could potentially keep tourists from visiting Deep Creek Lake and staying overnight. Or the increase in the tax could have led to further rental discounting - which could have further eroded a homeowners net rental income and potentially the value of their Deep Creek Lake real estate.

By: Al Rohrbaugh arohrbaugh@railey.com 301-616-9748 January 20th, 2010 Category: Community Profiles

If you are a second home buyer seeking peace, quiet, and a less expensive resort alternative - then you might want to consider Alpine Lake Resort in West Virginia. Alpine Lake is a 2,300 acre community that is just a 30 minute drive from Deep Creek Lake, MD and Wisp Ski Resort. This recreational community is located in neighboring Preston County, WV and features a full lodge, motel, 18 hole golf course, 148 acre lake, and abundant wildlife.

Alpine Lake Real Estate & Homes For Sale

The community has its own sewer and water system and currently serves over 490 homes with capacity for future development.  Current prices range from $3,900-$45,000 for building lots and $79,000- $599,000 for homes - however, most homes for sale currently average in the mid $200,000 range. All property owners have access to the lake, lodge, and discounted green fees for the 18 hole golf course.

Click here for real estate and homes for sale in Alpine Lake West Virginia

I am licensed in both Maryland and West Virginia and have helped numerous second home buyers purchase vacation properties in Alpine Lake over the last several years. If you are interested give me a call or shoot me an e-mail for a FREE tour of Alpine Lake Resort. I am very familiar with nearly all of the properties for sale in the community. A  vacation home buyer in today’s economy needs to consider Alpine Lake WV - a much less expensive resort alternative with nearly all of the same benefits!

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 January 8th, 2010 Category: Deep Creek Lake Real Estate, Garrett County News, Garrett County Real Estate, News

The county has released its latest revisions to the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance, the Garrett County Subdivision Ordinance, and the Sensitive Areas Ordinance. There has been a lot of language deleted and changes made from the original proposals that were previously released in the fall of 2009. A summary of the major issues are listed below;

Scenic Protection Overlay Districts

• There is a significant reduction in the size of the Overlay Districts according to the county’s most recent map.
• The current revision applies only on ridges and crests - deleting language referring to slopes and hilltops.
• Applies only in areas where houses create a silhouette on the skyline when viewed from Deep Creek Lake or the shoreline.
• Trees must now be retained or planted on the sides and rear of the house or improvement.
• No trees are required to be planted or retained between the house and the lake.
• If mature trees can be retained on the sides and rear of the structure then no planting is required.

Basically, this new ordinance will now require lot owners in these areas to either plant or retain trees on the sides and rear of the house when built - but not in front of the house - essentially creating a “framing” effect around the entire structure when looking at the house from the lake. The belief is this “framing” effect will help protect some of the scenic quality and character around Deep Creek. However, please note there will probably be no grandfathering in regards to this issue. So if you already own a lot in one of these districts and have yet to build a house - you will be required to plant or retain trees as specified above. The county will enforce these standards as part of the building permit process. So in order to get your final Use and Occupancy permit you will need to demonstrate that you have adhered to these standards.

Agricultural & Rural Resource Parcels

The revised map of the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning District reveals that the county has re-classified some of the parcels near the Dam from AR (Agricultural Resource) and RR (Rural Resource) to LR2 (Lake Residential 2). The current revisions also relax the AR/RR standards for subdividing property and basically provide for either a clustering or non-clustering option. Mandatory clustering and the creation of a resource parcel is NOT required. The 3 options to subdivide AR/RR parcels are as follows;

1. Subdivide with 3 acre minimum lot a size (which is the current standard).
2. For parcels 20 acres or less - or if transferring to children or grandchildren - 1 acre minimum lot sizes are now permitted.
3. There will be an incentive for property owners who choose to do a cluster subdivision. The incentive will be a bonus density of 1 dwelling unit per 2 acres with no minimum lot size, 50% open space required.

The county has also revised the zoning ordinance language dealing with commercial architectural standards, removing the “commercial uses” language making the standards applicable to all non-residential structures - meaning public, institutional, and educational facilities will also have to adhere to these architectural standards which will call for a mandatory Planning Commission review. Other revisions address subdivision along scenic highways, setbacks for the drilling of natural gas, and development on steep slopes.

The Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on these proposed changes for Saturday morning, February 6^th, 2010 at 10:00 am in the auditorium of Garrett College. The comment period for the public will probably be open for 30 days thereafter. So even if you can’t attend this hearing you will have the ability to register your comments.

Overall, these changes are a significant departure from the last set of proposals released by the county. However, these changes will have an impact on real estate at Deep Creek Lake and in Garrett County - so as always we urge you to register your comments, ask questions, and familiarize yourself with these proposals.