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: 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: 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 5th, 2011 Category: Garrett County News

After hearing local concerns for protection, Delegate Beitzel and Senator Edwards introduced a bill that will establish regulations on Marcellus Shale natural gas exploration. The Marcellus Shale runs from West Virginia to New York and is located in Garrett and Allegany Counties, Maryland.

The bill outlines a number of issues that MDE must address. These issues include requirements relating to:

(1)   a water testing plan to ensure drinking water resources are protected, including requirements for surface well casing, grouting, and inspections;

(2)   the containment and disposal of fluid used in hydraulic fracturing processes;

(3)   the identification of all chemicals and materials used in hydraulic fracturing processes;

(4)   prohibiting the unregulated discharge of drilling materials and fluids into streams, ponds, and other bodies of water for which the discharge has not been approved by the Department; and

(5)   site reclamation and bonding.

As Garrett County’s leading real estate brokerage, we will keep you informed on all local issues.

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 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!!

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 November 8th, 2010 Category: Garrett County News, News

An entirely new board of County Commissioners was recently elected in Garrett County, Maryland and will take public office in the very near future.  Republicans Gregan Crawford, Jim Raley, and Bob Gatto all won their respective districts in last Tuesday’s elections. Jim Raley is no relation to Railey Realty owner and licensed salesperson Jimmy Railey.

Two incumbents on the current board of Commissioners, Ernie Gregg and Fred Holliday, were defeated in September’s primary by Gregan Crawford and Jim Raley respectively.  Mr. Crawford is from the Southern Garrett County area. Mr. Raley is from the Northern Garrett area and has served on the school board in the past.

The third incumbent, Denny Glotfelty, earlier won his district’s primary race but sadly lost his battle with cancer just one week before the November election. Bob Gatto successfully won the late Mr. Glotfelty’s seat and Deep Creek Lake area district as a write-in candidate.

The Garrett County Board of Realtors is planning to engage and have ongoing dialog with all three new County Commissioners along with Maryland Senator George Edwards and Delegate Wendell Beitzel. Both Edwards and Beitzel were easily re-elected for new terms. Members on the Board of Realtors include Railey Realty agents Larry Smith, Mike Kennedy, and Erin Strubin.

Railey Realty firmly believes in working with county government and taking a pro-active stance on all issues relating to real estate in Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake. Current issues in the forefront that could have an effect on property values and rights include tax assessments, the county’s budget, appointments to the Planning Commission, protecting the water quality in Deep Creek Lake, windmill setbacks and decommissioning standards, and the proposed Marcellus Shale gas well drilling.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 November 5th, 2010 Category: Garrett County News, News

Railey Realty is proud to announce that Larry Smith was recently installed as new President of the Garrett County (MD) Board of Realtors. Larry has been a full time licensed salesperson at Railey Realty for nearly 10 years. He also recently won the 2010 Realtor of the Year award. Before entering the field of real estate sales Larry previously worked at the Wisp Ski Resort and owned the Lake Breeze Motel on Deep Creek Lake with his family. Larry is the nephew of the late Helmuth Heise who founded the Wisp Ski Resort.

Also representing Railey Realty on the Garrett Board of Realtors are Mike Kennedy and Erin Strubin. Mike is continuing to serve a 3 year term as a Director on the Board of Realtors and Erin was recently elected to serve as Secretary. Both Mike and Erin are licensed salespersons with Railey Realty.

The Garrett County Board of Realtors is comprised of local Realtors committed to providing professional real estate services to all buyers and sellers. The Board closely monitors any proposed legislation and new issues that may affect real estate buyers and sellers in Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area.

The Board also works very closely with all local and state government to help protect property owners in regards to local real estate issues - such as lake management, property taxes, and the proposed Marcellus Shale drilling.

By: Jay Ferguson jferguson@railey.com 301-501-0420 September 28th, 2010 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, Deep Creek Lake Events, Garrett County News, News

Some videos & a little bit about the experience of volunteering at the Savageman Triathlon last weekend. Railey Realty was stationed at the top of ‘Killer’ Miller Hill. We had a lot of great turnout from Railey Realty sales agents, friends & family. It was a lot of fun, almost like a part atmosphere. People in costumes, cheering a lot of cowbells Click for a few more photos that I posted to Facebook. Below, one of the videos is of Audrey Kennedy climbing the hill: