By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 February 23rd, 2012 Category: News

Below are a few new regulations being implemented by DNR this year that deal with noise limits and underwater plant growth on Deep Creek Lake.

The new decibel limit for boats on Deep Creek Lake is now 88 decibels. The previous limit was 90 decibels. Natural Resources Police will check loud boats for compliance.

Fabric mats called Benthic mats are now allowed by special permit to be placed on the bottom of Deep Creek Lake underneath and around docks. These mats can suppress the growth of underwater plants also known as submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). It is the responsibility of the homeowner to purchase the mats, install them, and remove them from the lake.

These changes should help some of the complaints heard on these issues the past few years.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 February 13th, 2012 Category: Deep Creek Lake Buyer Info, Deep Creek Lake Market Update, Deep Creek Lake Real Estate, Garrett County Real Estate, Wisp Real Estate

Monthly residential sales, which are a key indicator in the local Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County real estate market, experienced its highest number of January sales since 2007. In Garrett County there were 27 residential sales in the first month of 2012 totaling $9,016,297. Below is a summary of total January sales since 2007.

27 residential closings in Jan 2012/ $9,016,297.00

18 residential closings in Jan 2011/ $7,178,025.00

12 residential closings in Jan 2010/ $4,043,000.00

10 residential closings in Jan 2009/ $3,987,000.00

14 residential closings in Jan 2008/ $8,107,750.00

29 residential closings in Jan 2007/ $10,258,100.00

The trends and statistics are starting to confirm that our local real estate market started experiencing it’s slow down in 2008, bottomed out in 2009, and then has experienced slow, steady growth since that point. Even though sales are trending upward and improving, property values have continued to soften the past few years but have recently started to stabilize in most of our various market segments. Now is a great time to think about purchasing a second home at Deep Creek Lake. Prices are down from their peak a few years ago and interest rates are at, or near, their lowest point ever.

Give us a call for a free tour of homes for sale in the area. As the area’s largest and most experienced brokerage we have the largest selection of Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Ski Resort properties for sale. Please note we can show you any property listed for sale, even those listed with other real estate companies. We look forward to helping you with all your real estate needs.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 February 7th, 2012 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, Garrett County News, News, Wisp Ski Resort

Former Deep Creek Winter Sports Team member Tom Wallisch recently won his first Gold medal at the Winter X Games held in Aspen Colorado in the freestyle skiing event. Tom was also recently named to the 2014 Olympic team.

Tom is from the Pittsburgh area and grew up learning to ski at Wisp Ski Resort. Tom’s parents have a vacation town home at Deep Creek Village which is within walking distance to Wisp. When Tom was younger he was a member of the Deep Creek Winter Sports team and advanced his freestyle skiing and jumping skills while on the team and at Wisp on the weekends.

If you are considering purchasing or already own a second home at Deep Creek, the Winter Sports Team is another great program and amenity. The team’s training program is designed to teach and advance children of all ages in skiing and snowboarding at Wisp. Practices for the team are held mostly on weekends to accommodate vacation homeowners who visit the area on the weekends. The team also has a training camp the week between Christmas and New Year’s when most kids are on school break. The team also hosts competitions and ski races at Wisp for those members that wish to compete.

Click here for Wisp Ski Properties for sale including houses, building lots, and town homes.

Contact us if you would like a free tour of homes for sale in the Deep Creek and Wisp Ski Resort area.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 February 6th, 2012 Category: Garrett County News, News

Deep Creek Title Group (DCTG) has recently announced that Karen Niner has joined their firm as Managing Settlement Agent. Karen worked at the Oakland, Maryland law firm of Eiswert, Janes & Kepple for over 34 years where she was in charge of all title and settlement services. She now joins local attorney Jonathan Robeson who is the managing member of Deep Creek Title Group. Jonathan remarked that “Karen brings over 34 years of real estate settlement and loan closing services in the Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County area. She has developed a deeply loyal following in the local community by providing quality, professional service while maintaining the highest level of accuracy, integrity, and ethics. We are very excited that she has decided to accept a position in our firm.” Deep Creek Title is a locally owned title and settlement company providing all services related to closings and settlements involving real estate purchases, mortgages, refinancing and home equity loans, construction and commercial loans. Deep Creek Title is located at 113 South Third Street in Oakland, Maryland. Their phone number is (301) 334-1001.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 February 1st, 2012 Category: Garrett County News, News, Vacation Rentals

Legislation has been introduced again this year that would give the Garrett County Commissioners the authority to raise the Accommodations Tax to 6% starting in October of 2012. The current rate is 5%. This is the tax paid by overnight guests who stay in hotels and Deep Creek Lake vacation rental houses. If this is passed, the Garrett County rate would still be one of the lowest in all of Maryland.