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.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 January 25th, 2012 Category: Garrett County News, News

The Deep Creek Lake area and Garrett County, Maryland will be featured in an upcoming reality TV series called “Getting Away Together” now beginning to air on PBS member stations nationwide. The Deep Creek Lake area and Garrett County, Maryland episode will begin airing as early as February on different PBS stations across the country. Check local listings for air times/dates. The series focuses on large groups vacationing together and the Garrett County episode will follow a military family Mike & Alexis Piet from Arlington, VA, their parents and family friends as they visit some of Garrett County’s most well-known attractions, and include Mike’s training for the SavageMan Triathlon. We will keep you posted as we become aware of airing dates for the Garrett County episode and watch your email for more news on “Getting Away Together”.

The episode filmed in Garrett County is made possible in part by Railey Mountain Lake Vacations, Bill’s Marine Service, Bill’s Outdoor Center, Honi-Honi Bar, Uno Chicago Grill Deep Creek Lake, Arrowhead Market, and Garrett 8 Cinemas.

By: NancyJo nfratz@railey.com 301-616-7093 November 14th, 2011 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, News

This year’s Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake Festival of Trees 2011 will be held Friday and Saturday November 25 and 26^th 2011 to benefit the Dove Center.  (A non- profit domestic violence shelter that provides shelter, safety, advocacy, and counseling to victims of domestic violence).  An event for the entire family to enjoy.

The Festivities will begin Friday with a Breakfast with Santa.  Games and activities for children will be held throughout the weekend.  Other special features include decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses.  Friday evenings highlight is the Auction to begin at 6:00 p.m.  This is your opportunity to bid on the decorated trees, wreaths, etc.    Saturday’s entertainment will include Jessica’s Dance Creations and Dancing Classrooms.    Local vendors will also be on sight with specials and a silent auction will be ongoing both days.

This year the Festival of Trees will be at Deep Creek Lake, McHenry, Md in the Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall.

If you are visiting Deep Creek Lake over the Thanksgiving Holiday this is an event you will not want to miss.

By: Jay Ferguson jferguson@railey.com 301-501-0420 September 16th, 2011 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, News

Sep 17 - Sep 18 Savageman Triathlon

The world’s most savage triathlon! Bike, swim and run for a great cause: fighting skin cancer.

Deep Creek Lake and the pristine, rugged Allegheny Mountains of western Maryland, provide a venue of unmatched beauty and stunning scenery, and feature two courses that will certainly bring out the true “Savage” in all who come to conquer, from the competitive Ironman racer to the leisurely back-of-the-pack or novice participant. Whether swimming in the crystal clear Deep Creek Lake, riding the smooth, remote, and challenging roads of Garrett County, or running on Deep Creek State Park trails and the surrounding lakeside roads, the SavageMan Triathlon Festival races will challenge and awe participants.

6x Ironman Race Champion Dave Scott will be participating this year. Dave is a legend in the racing world. Railey Realty will also have numerous agents participating in the race this year as well. Those racing from Railey Realty are Jimmy Railey, Russell Bounds, Coelian Green, and Mike Kennedy. Railey Realty is also running the Aid Station atop Killer Miller Hill again this year passing out water and sports drinks to racers. Join us for food, drinks, and helping these athletes!

Date: September 17, 2011

Website: http://www.savagemantri.org/

Location: Deep Creek Lake State Park, MD

Fees/Admission: Registration is sold out. Free for spectators

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 August 25th, 2011 Category: Garrett County News, News, Wisp Real Estate, Wisp Ski Resort

Here is a link to the latest article released to the public on the potential sale of Wisp Ski Resort.  The owners of nearby Seven Springs Ski Resort appear to be the most likely candidate to purchase the Wisp. The family that owns Seven Springs also own a majority of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team.

Contrary to any rumors the Wisp Ski Resort is NOT bankrupt and in NO danger of shutting down or closing. In fact, in recent years the Wisp has experienced a record number of skier visits. The current ownership group has actually made the Wisp a year round profitable venture with the addition of new attractions like the mountain coaster and zip line canopy tour. It’s very likely that any new ownership group or the current ownership group will continue to add new attractions and expand the ski slopes at the resort.

The article is a little misleading in blaming “low nearby home sales.” The number of nearby Deep Creek Lake home sales are actually trending upwards - they have been since the end of 2009.  More likely to blame for this potential sale are lower than anticipated building lot sales around the new Lodestone Golf Course atop Wisp Mountain and the high cost to build such a high end 18 hole golf course.

Many people think of the Wisp as one entity but it’s actually comprised of two separate companies - Recreational Industries and DC Development.  Both companies are owned by the same group of people. Recreational Industries is the Wisp Ski Resort and all it’s attractions - ski slopes, lodge, tubing park, and mountain coaster. DC Development is the real estate development company that builds and develops neighborhoods atop Wisp Mountain.

Since 2001, DC Development has been very successful in developing and selling out such neighborhoods and subdivisions atop Wisp Mountain like Boulder Ridge, North Camp, Highline, and Deep Creek Highlands. Those neighborhoods continue to be popular with vacation home buyers in the area.

Wisp Ski Resort will continue to be a huge draw for the Deep Creek Lake area regardless of who owns it. The ski area is a big part and reason why families purchase vacation and second homes in this area. The Deep Creek area is a true four season resort with endless activities and attractions for vacationers and second home owners alike.

If you are interested in pursuing real estate opportunities in the Deep Creek Lake area or at the Wisp Ski Resort please give us a call or stop in our office. We are the local experts and have the largest selection of properties for sale in the area.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 March 27th, 2011 Category: Deep Creek Lake Events, News

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold an upcoming public hearing to discuss noise levels for boats using Deep Creek Lake. The hearing will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 6:00 pm at the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center at the State Park.

In recent years many real estate and homeowners around Deep Creek Lake have indicated a desire for more stringent noise level requirements for power boats and personal watercraft.

If you can not attend the meeting and still want to voice your opinion you can contact Mike Grant who is the Regulations Coordinator for Boating Services. His e-mail address is mgrant@dnr.state.md.us.

By: Carol Wills cwills@railey.com 571-214-3544 February 9th, 2011 Category: Garrett County News, News

Great story about a local horse named Cowboy that was recently found running wild in the northern end of Garrett County. Cowboy is now residing safely at Western Trails Stables in Oakland, Maryland due to many local donations and volunteer efforts. You can read more details about the story at the link below;

http://photoblogdeepcreeklake360.com/2011/02/08/railey-realty-deep-creek-lake-adopts-a-cowboy/

Railey Realty takes great pride in donating resources and time for causes like Cowboy and to help numerous local Garrett County charities, hospitals, organizations, and schools.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 February 1st, 2011 Category: Garrett County News, News

House Budget Bill 26 would eliminate funding provided by the state to Garrett County through the Deep Creek Lake Recreation Maintenance and Management Fund. This fund includes all of the lake permit/dock fees and was created, in part, to cover the tax revenue lost by the county when the State of Maryland purchased Deep Creek Lake from Penn Electric.

A similar but unsuccessful measure was sponsored in 2008 by Delegate Doyle Niemann. This new bill, however, has been submitted as part of an overall budget bill at the request of the Speaker of the House.

Dock fees collected for boat launching at Deep Creek Lake State Park, all funds collected from lake and buffer use permits, and all contracts, gifts, and grants as a result of the Deep Creek Lake management program will still be collected. However, quarterly payments of 25% of the proceeds will no longer be forwarded on to the Garrett County Commissioners if the bill succeeds.

We will keep you posted on all legislative issues as they affect Deep Creek Lake property owners and local Garrett County real estate.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 January 14th, 2011 Category: Deep Creek Lake Buyer Info, Deep Creek Lake Market Update, Deep Creek Lake Real Estate, Garrett County Real Estate, News, Wisp Real Estate

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that vacation home markets are on the rise. While the article does not mention the Deep Creek Lake real estate market, it does mention other resort markets and reports some similar things that have recently happened in our market.

• Sales are up slightly
• A few record sales - Deep Creek experienced a record lakefront house sale at Holy Cross for $3.5 in 2010.
• Cash buyers who are getting good deals
• More accurate pricing by sellers

Now is still a great time to purchase a second or vacation home in the Deep Creek Lake area. Interest rates are still low, good deals can be had with plenty of properties to choose from, and unlike other resorts we do have year round activities with the lake and Wisp Ski area.  Contact us for a complete list of all available properties - or a list of the current “best buys” in our market.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 December 3rd, 2010 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, Garrett County News, News, Wisp Ski Resort

After a week of cold temperatures and snowfall, the Wisp Ski Resort announced today it will be opening for 2010/2011 ski season on Saturday, December 4, 2010. The only trail that will be open the weekend of December 4th and 5th will be Belly Flop and the conveyor carpet. Reduced rate lift tickets of $10 will be available this weekend.

The Wisp expects to have many more trails open and have an official “Grand Opening” on Thursday, December 9th, 2010.

Snowmaking efforts remain in full gear as cold temperatures and more snow are expected over the next several days.

Here is a picture taken today of the Wisp (The Face and Squirrel Cage slopes) from my office - cold and snowy!!