Lighthouse Open House – Point Lookout State Park (11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD), 10am – 2pm.  Take a self-guided tour of the lighthouse.  Volunteers and friends of the lighthouse will be on hand to answer questions.  Admission to the lighthouse is free, but admission to get into the park to see the lighthouse is $5 per person for in-state residents and $6 per person for out-of-state residents.  For more info, please call 301-872-5688.

Fall Follies on the Square – Leonardtown Square, 10am – 3pm.  This arts and crafts festival includes wood carvings, ceramics, stained glass, paintings, jewelry and more.  For more info, please call 301-997-1644.

End of Summer Blast Centennial Celebration – 5th Street and Bay Avenue, North Beach, all day.  Celebrate the end of summer with games, contests and more.

Leonardtown Wharf Waterfront Celebration – Leonardtown Wharf Public Park (off Washington Street), 12-5pm.  Enjoy food and entertainment while watching the sailboat races, viewing the water-related exhibits and maybe take one of the guided tours offered via kayak or canoe.

Woodland Indian Discovery Day – Historic St Mary’s City, 10am-5pm.  Start out at the HSMC Visitor Center (18751 Hogaboom Lane) to learn about the history of the Woodland Indians and participate in activities the Woodland Indians did as a way of life.  Admission is $10 for adults and $3.50 for kids ages 6-12 (free to kids under 6 years of age).

If you are looking for ways to spend September 11th in Calvert County, it looks like there is something for just about anyone.

• Compare the Comps - Check out the prices of homes that are comparable in size and amenities in the neighborhood you are looking to buy a home in.  You can do this on the internet via sites like Trulia.com and Zillow.com.  But, their information  may be several months out of date.  It is always best to consult with your REALTOR®.  We have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information on all neighborhoods in the area.
• Check Your Credit Report – AnnualCreditReport.com is the only government sanctioned website that can provide your credit report for free.  Once your report has been sent to you, go over it thoroughly so you can identify and correct any mistakes you find.  Mistakes do happen often.  In order to get the best interest rate possible, you must have a credit score over 700.  The lower your credit score, the more money you will be paying in interest.  By clearing up any mistakes on your credit report, you will be able to get a better interest rate on your mortgage loan.
• Get Pre-Approved, Not Pre-Qualified - It takes just moments to get pre-qualified.  But this doesn’t mean you will be approved for that amount on a mortgage loan.  By getting pre-approved, you know exactly how much you will be able to spend on your new Southern Maryland home.  Also, sellers are happier to work with someone who already has financing in place.
• Consider New Construction – With so many brand new homes sitting on the market, builders are ready and willing to negotiate on prices.  Always make sure to research the reputation of a builder before sitting down to negotiate with them.  Your REALTOR® can help you out with that as well.
• A Home Inspection is a Must – Whether you’re buying a brand new home or one that has had several previous owners, you will want to get a home inspection.  Even brand new homes can have unseen troubles hidden within their walls.  A home inspector will be able to point out potential problems.
• Run a Title Report – The title report shows whether those additions and/or renovations the owner made to the house were properly permitted.  If they weren’t, it could cause a headache when you go to sell it in the future.

These are some of the most important things you need to do before you buy a Southern Maryland home.  If you have any trouble or need any help, always consult your REALTOR®.  We’re trained to handle these things.

Susan Cleary, your Southern Maryland real estate specialist

The Maryland Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program was officially launched on April 22, 2010, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. The program offers rebates for Maryland residents who replace their old, outdated, energy guzzling appliances for newer, more energy efficient Energy Star appliances. The appliances covered previously under this program were refrigerators, washers and water heaters. However, as of July 30th, the appliance rebate program has been expanded in Maryland to include central A/C units, freezers, room air conditioners and air source heat pumps.

The rebates available include: $500 for central A/C units and air source heat pumps, $300 for electric heat pump water heaters, $100 for washers and freezers, $50 for refrigerators and $25 for room air conditioners. The rebates are available only for washers, refrigerators and water heaters purchased and installed on or after April 22, 2010 and on or after July 30, 2010 for the rest. All rebates are available on a “first-come, first-served” basis and will be available while funds last. For more information on Maryland’s rebate program, forms and the terms and conditions, please visit the Maryland Energy Administration website.

In addition to the Maryland Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, many utility companies are offering their own rebates for trading in old appliances for more energy efficient models. You may want to check with your local Southern Maryland utility company to see what programs they offer as well and find out if you qualify for additional funds.

If you are looking to replace your rundown appliance with a brand new Energy Star one, remember that the appliance rebate program has been expanded in Maryland. But hurry, the rebates will only last as long as the funds do. Not only will you be saving money by using less energy and getting a rebate, you will also be helping reduce energy consumption and reducing the strain on the earth’s resources. What a gift!