By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 March 30th, 2012 Category: Garrett County News, News

Last week, the Garrett County commissioners voted to take over ownership of the ASCI man made white water course that sits atop Wisp Ski Resort Mountain. As part of the deal, two local banks agreed to restructure debt that ultimately allowed the county to take ownership. The county plans on raising the accommodation tax from 5% to 6% to help pay for this acquisition. The accommodation tax is paid primarily by vacationers and tourists who stay at local hotels and Deep Creek Lake area vacation rental homes.

This acquisition will ensure that the ASCI white water rafting course continues to be a tourist destination in the Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake area.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 March 29th, 2012 Category: Deep Creek Lake Buyer Info, Deep Creek Lake Market Update, Deep Creek Lake Real Estate, Garrett County Real Estate

Following a very positive start to 2012 based on total sales in the month of January, the upward trend of monthly sales in the Deep Creek Lake area market continued into the month of February. Monthly residential sales are a key indicator in the local real estate market. In Garrett County there were 17 residential sales in February 2012 totaling $4,522,000 in total dollar volume. Below is a summary of total sales in the month of February since 2007.

Feb 2012 / 17 residential closings / $4,522,000

Feb 2011 / 9 residential closings / $2,787,000

Feb 2010 / 6 residential closings / $1,860,000

Feb 2009 / 8 residential closings / $3,563,500

Feb 2008 / 18 residential closings / $6,171,475

Feb 2007 / 18 residential closings / $5,979,000

The total number of residential sales in February is almost double from one year ago and the total dollar volume was up 62%. If you are thinking of buying a vacation house at Deep Creek Lake, shopping now as opposed to later may be a good idea. Buyer interest seems to be much higher now that prices have softened and interest rates are low. There have even been a few multiple offer situations the past few weeks on two different lake access homes. Multiple offers have been extremely rare the past few years.

Give us a call for a free tour of homes for sale in the area or a free market analysis if you are considering selling. 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. Whether you plan on buying or selling, we look forward to helping you with all your real estate needs.

By: JonBell jbell@railey.com 301-501-0735 March 9th, 2012 Category: Deep Creek Lake Buyer Info, Deep Creek Lake Real Estate, Interest Rates and Loans

The Washington Post recently published an article titled “What Can You Buy For $300,000? Vacation Homes to Escape From the Beltway.” The article noted that mortgage interest rates are still at historical lows, real estate prices are still depressed and many people in the metro area are considering the idea of purchasing a vacation rental home. There are a lot of “Good Deals” out there these days and many of the resort area homes can be rented to vacationers to offset the expense. This is a good time to buy a second home at Deep Creek Lake.

The Post article examined three vacation destinations within driving distance of Washington DC and picked up on the property I have for sale at 1165 Harvey Peninsula Road. This house (pictured above) is a great 3 bedroom plus loft log home located within walking distance to the shoreline of Deep Creek Lake and just several miles from the Wisp Ski and Golf Resort. The house is situated on a half acre wooded lot with a large deck, hot tub, wood burning stove and pool table. The house is priced at $269,000 and has all of the amenities required for the perfect family retreat. Click here to view 28 pictures of the property and the full sales sheet.

The author, Katherine Reynolds Lewis, wrote “For a vacation home that you can use or rent almost year round, many Washingtonians flock to Deep Creek Lake.” She is absolutely correct. The majority of my customers come from the Washington DC, Baltimore and Northern Virginia areas but Deep Creek also attracts second home buyers from Pittsburgh, West Virginia, parts of Ohio and New York. I first visited Deep Creek Lake on a camping trip with my parents around the age of 13. We trailered our boat up from the Chesapeake Bay, launched at the state park and spent the night tied up to the docks at Johnny’s Bait house. We didn’t catch many fish but we had a great time. I moved to Deep Creek full time about 10 years later. The move was a great decision.

Click on the following link to read the full Washington Post article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/a-year-round-haven-at-deep-creek-lake/2012/02/20/gIQAvRlmTR_story.html

Why Buy at Deep Creek Lake? Click on the following link to read Ten Reasons to Buy a Home at Deep Creek Lake, MD.

What to know more? Click on the following link to read Deep Creek Lake’s Most Frequently Questions.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 March 5th, 2012 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, Garrett County News, News, Wisp Ski Resort

Wisp Ski Resort plans to remain open for winter ski and snowboard operations through April 8, 2012 despite an unusually warm winter. Rumors of the Wisp closing earlier than normal this ski season due to conditions are simply not true according to President, Karen Myers. With only about 70-80 inches of actual snowfall this year in Garrett County, the management and staff of Wisp has done a tremendous job keeping all trails and slopes open while delivering a fun experience to guests and vacationers. In fact, some skiers have even commented that the Wisp has delivered some of the best ski conditions ever this winter.