baltimore city tagged posts

Smoke detectors in Maryland homes

As you probably know, the law changed on January 1, 2018 about smoke detectors in Maryland.

You now must have a 10 year battery and the alarm needs to have a silence or hush feature. You have to have a smoke detector in every level of your home, including the basement. The smoke detector must be less than 10 years old.

If you don’t have the required smoke detectors in your home and you are selling the home, you are subject to a fine. Avoid the fine and update your smoke detectors to the required hardware.

Get the full details about home smoke detector legal standards by clicking here for a PDF infographic with all of the information you need.

September Calendar of Events

Lots of activities are happening in September around Baltimore. There is still time to celebrate outdoors. Many events are taking place include music, food and O’s games.

Image: Hampden Fest.

Get your beehive ready for Hamdenfest, September 8 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Image: Baltimore Magazine’s Music Festival

Baltimore Magazine’s Music Festival at Union Collective. Check it out in Baltimore on September 22, 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Image: Power Plant Live!

Around the World Pub Crawl at Power Plant Live downtown, September 22, 2-10 p.m. Tickets

Image: Pigtown Main Street

Don’t miss the 17th Annual Pigtown Festival, September 22 from 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Image: Power Plant Live!

Leinenkugel’s presents Oktoberfest Live!. See it September 29, 2018 from 3:00- 7:0...

Thanks to Mark Hines of Fidelity Bank for this episode of Tips from the Pros about mortgages.

It looks like last week everything leveled off a bit even in the wake of the possible collapse of Turkey’s economy. In US news, July Housing Starts +0.9%– Building Permits +1.5%.  Weekly jobless claims -2,000 to 212,000.  News is mortgage interest rate neutral.

As everyone knows by now FHLB is out of funds till January 2019.

There are other down payment assistance p[rograms that have funds to help 1^st time buyers. Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions on any of these valuable programs. Construction loans are becoming popular with the lack of inventory. I do have a one-time close construction loan...

In this issue of my Monthly Item of Value, learn good financial habits that will help you throughout your lifetime.

By following this list of tips, you will be able to make the most of the money coming in and help your lower your debt and raise your savings and investments.

• Be mindful of spending.
• Create and stick to a budget.
• Pay off one debt at a time.
• Continue building your emergency savings.
• Keep contributing to your retirement.
• Create a budget.

For the full report click here.

Thinking of buying or selling your home? Contact Gigi today to set up an appointment.

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about choosing firewood.

How to Choose the Right Firewood

While warm fires are the last thing you want burning in your house in the summer heat, fall and brisk winter nights are right around the corner. When cooler days come around, you should start by cleaning out your fireplace and getting a chimney inspection. Once your chimney has been prepped, you need to choose the right firewood.

Dry Firewood is the Best Firewood

As a general rule of thumb, remember that dry firewood is the best firewood. Wood is filled with small tubes that run water from the roots below the ground into the trunk and branches. When the wood is cut, those tubes will still have moisture in them...

August Calendar of Events

Lots of activities are happening in August around Baltimore. Exciting events are taking place including music, food and O’s games.

Image: Moonrise Festival

The Moonrise Festival is at Pimlico Racetrack August 10-11.

Image: Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney fans will be happy to see him with Old Dominion at Merriweather Post Pavilion on August 22.

Image: Fells Point Farmers’ Market

The Fells Point Farmers’ Market is every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m through November.

Image: Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

Bring your thirst to the Pints in the Park the second Friday of each month through October at Center Plaza located at N. Charles & Fayette Streets. Hosted by Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

Port Discovery – Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice Exhibit...

In this Monthly Item of Value learn about how to stay organized and clutter-free.

We all have problems with accumulating clutter in our homes. Making sure everything has a place to be put away.

Not having more than we need seems to be a problem for many Americans. Try to donate or give away at least one thing for every new item you bring in the house to get a handle on clutter.

Taking these tips to heart, you will find that the amount of clutter in your home will be reduced. These tips are especially helpful if you are thinking about buying or selling your home. The less you move, the better. And if you are showing your home – the less clutter you have, the more attractive your home will look to others.

If you are interesting in buying or selling a home, please contact Gigi today to get...

3920 Wilke Avenue

Wow! The newly renovated kitchen at 3920 Wilke Avenue has rich cabinetry, gorgeous hardwood floor, neutral carpet and fresh paint. This home is an ideal pick for a budget minded first time home buyer or savvy investing looking to add to their rental portfolio...

Hire a Professional for Best Results

In this Monthly Item of Value, we’re talking about hiring a professional. No matter what improvements you are doing to your home, it’s always a good idea to hire a pro. When the safety of your home and family is in play, it’s often more important to use a professional who knows what they are doing rather than finding the cheapest way to do it.

To read the full text “Why it Makes Sense to Hire a Pro” click or tap here.

I have a list of trusted individuals who can help with just about anything around the house. Feel free to contact me to discuss my list of preferred partners.