Harlem Globetrotters Play Frostburg State University
Cumberland Times-News
Scooter Christensen of the Harlem Globetrotters spins a basketball on top of another Monday evening in Bobcat Arena in the Cordts Physical Education Center at Frostburg State University. Players entertained the crowd as they played against the Washington Generals.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
February 2010 Homes Sales in Garrett County & Deep Creek Lake
The nasty weather definitely had an adverse affect on the local real estate market in February with only 6 residential settlements. It’s next to impossible to show and sell houses with 5-10 foot drifts at residential homes, let alone vacation homes which may not have seen a snowplow in weeks!
There are signs of a stronger spring ahead of us, as there are 33 ‘contracts’ in place which will close over the coming months and the economic indicators for the country are improving.
3 of the 6 sales were Deep Creek Lake area, and the other appear to be primary residential.
The average list vs. ORIGINAL sales price is 79.34% (down from January), though the ADJUSTED list vs. sales price is 88.31% of asking price (also down from January). There was at least one foreclosure/bank owned property included in these stats, so that often skews the numbers somewhat.
The current number of active/for sale residential listings is 575. 33 of these homes are under contract. This is a net reduction from January 2009 (11 less homes for sale, 3 more under contract). Slowly but surely, our inventory numbers are continuing to decrease! Expect an increase of homes on the market in the spring, when more people historically decide to test the waters. Prices have stabilized and are increasing on average over the past few months!
Here are the statistical breakdowns:
Average Sale Price: $309,200
Average Days on Market: 164/296 (days on market with current broker/total days on market)
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Pleasant Valley, Garrett County Maryland
I had someone send me this photo of their family farm in southern Garrett County over the weekend and I was reminded of a Garrett County gem – Pleasant Valley. It’s not a town, so you can’t find it on the map as an address, but it is a collection of farms, fields, and homes on Route 219 south of Oakland. There is a prevalent Amish population, generations of local farmers and lots of other cool places to drive by and see. My father had a home in the valley for 10 years or so while I was growing up, so I was fortunate enough to have experienced the beautiful sights, sounds (and smells) of this agricultural area. Pleasant Valley lies beneath the Backbone Mountain ridge, so the backdrop of the highest point in Maryland is equally impressive as you take in the beautiful sights and sounds of Pleasant Valley! Take a trip to see the working farms, and stop by one of the many ‘shops’ that you will encounter along the way. You buy everything from fresh produce and eggs to Garrett County’s own maple syrup, baking goods, fresh baked bread & yummy deserts. There are also fun activities like horse drawn carriage rides, the Backbone Mountain ski farm and you can even arrange a trip to see livestock on a Garrett County farm!
Want your own piece of the Valley? Railey Realty offers many diverse tracts of recreational land, farm/pasture land and homes in this beautiful are of Garrett County. You can search for real estate here, or I would be happy to help you find the property of your dreams in Southern Garrett County, Pleasant Valley and Backbone Mountain!
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Deep Creek Lake - Did You Know?
Did You Know?
There are only 13 stoplights in all of Garrett County.
It is consistently 10-15° cooler here than in the Baltimore / Washington Metro area. Summers rarely get warmer than low 80’s.
The highest free-falling waterfall in Maryland is Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park.
Seven state forests and parks. Savage River State Forest is the largest state forest in Maryland. There are over 90,000 acres of publicly owned lands in Garrett County.
The air is so clean that vehicle emissions testing is not necessary.
Garrett County receives nearly double the snowfall of Fairbanks, Alaska.
The largest freshwater lake in Maryland, Deep Creek Lake, is 3,900 acres at a mountain elevation almost 1/2 mile high (2,462′) with 26 different fish species (including great ice fishing in the winter).
The highest mountain in Maryland is Backbone Mountain at 3,360′.
The best Autumn foliage in the state is celebrated with an old-fashioned, small-town, 4 day Autumn Glory Festival.
The Eastern Continental Divide runs through our county meaning most of the area drains to the Mississippi River, not the Chesapeake Bay.
Garrett County is very close to the headwaters of the Potomac River.
Maryland’s only alpine ski resort, Wisp Resort, has snowmaking capabilities that have been recognized worldwide.
Visitors can rent a place on the lake and get almost everywhere by boat—shopping, movies and even restaurants!
Recycling in Garrett County is free! drop off your items at one of 6 Collections Sites in the county.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station To Lower Lake Level; Users Cautioned
maryland depart
Mar. 4, 2010
The record snow fall in Garrett County could cause a record spring runoff. To avoid serious and potentially damaging high water conditions at Deep Creek Lake and at its dam, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has approved a request by Brookfield Renewable Power (owner of the Deep Creek Hydroelectric Station) to draw the lake level down two feet below its permitted March lower limit.
The draw-down, which began on March 1, will take place gradually, with a maximum of 0.5 feet reduction per day.
“Together with MDE, we are doing what we can to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of the spring thaw,” said David Barnhart, general manager for Brookfield’s Mid-America Operations. “As this winter proves, you never know what Mother Nature will throw at you, and an early, sustained thaw may result in higher than usual water levels.”
To a limited extent, Deep Creek Lake levels can be controlled by the hydroelectric station, which operates under a Water Appropriation and Use permit from the MDE. Under the permit conditions, the station uses water to generate hydropower, but keeps lake levels within a defined “rule band” with upper and lower limits.
The lowered water levels beneath the ice cover, combined with warming temperatures, pose unpredictable risks to recreational users of Deep Creek Lake.
“People should remember that there are always hazards to recreating on naturally-formed ice,” said Carolyn Mathews, manager of the Deep Creek Lake Recreation Area. “Lowering the lake to make additional storage space for the anticipated above-normal spring runoff may destabilize the lake’s ice. We urge everyone to take special care to stay safe.”
The MDE, Brookfield, and the Department of Natural Resources are continuing to monitor the lake levels and weather conditions to determine whether additional actions for safety of recreational users may be required
Lake levels can be found at www.deepcreekhydro.com
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Happy 133rd Birthday to the Republican Newspaper!
Jay’s note: Support the Republican Newspaper – I nominate the Republican and all of its staff as official ‘Garrett County All Stars’!! A year memebership online is only $9.95 – you’ll find more loose change in your house than that in a year!
The Republican newspaper officially turns 133 today, March 4. The first issue of the newspaper was published by James Hayden on March 4, 1877. The paper has been produced every week since.
The newspaper was launched by Hayden in that year, and was named in honor of the recently slain Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president. Hayden was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Union Army.
The paper was purchased in 1890 by Benjamin H. Sincell, who published his first issue on his 20th birthday in that year. It has been in the Sincell family since that time, with just four editors in its history: Hayden; B.H. Sincell until 1946, then George Hanst (brother of Elsie Hanst Sincell), who was editor from 1946 until 1977; and then Donald Sincell, editor from 1977 to the present.
Read the rest of the article here.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Public Safety Office Offers Flood Facts
Public Safety Office Offers Flood Facts
Mar. 4, 2010
Flooding may become a major problem in the local area as the large amount of snowfall from February’s storms begins to melt.
“We are very concerned about that likelihood as the temperatures warm up beginning this week,” said Director Brad Frantz, Garrett County Department of Emergency Management.
With that in mind, the director offers the following flood fact sheet from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
DURING A FLOOD
If a flood is likely in your area, you should:
•Listen to the radio or television for information.
•Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
•Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.
If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:
•Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
•Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:
•Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
•Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safety. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.
DRIVING FLOOD FACTS
The following are important points to remember when driving in flood conditions:
•Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
•A foot of water will float many vehicles.
•Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickups.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Duane Yoder receives 2010 Houser of the Year Award
Duane Yoder, president of the Garrett County Community Action Committee, received the 2010 Houser of the Year Award during the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition’s (MAHC) annual meeting last month in Annapolis. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated “outstanding” overall achievement in the development of quality affordable rental housing in Maryland. Additionally, this individual is someone who, over the years, has helped to promote and preserve affordable housing opportunities for low-income Marylanders by tackling tough issues and advocating for the affordable housing industry in the state.
Yoder has been an industry leader who has advocated for or supported affordable housing for all of Garrett County for many years, according to county administrator Monty Pagenhardt, who attended the conference. “Duane is recognized by his peers from all around the state for his dedication and hard work,” said Pagenhardt. “It was very evident to me that Garrett County is a model for every local jurisdiction throughout the state for our affordable housing program and the acknowledgment of Duane for this award was certainly deserving.”
Read the rest of the article here.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Masterpiece Lakefront Home Deep Creek Lake 3285 Shingle Camp GA7205460 $1,999,900
This has to be one of the most unique homes you will find at Deep Creek Lake. Nearly 7200 square feet! Architectural Elegance describes this truly unique and magnificent home at Deep Creek Lake. Sitting on 135′ lakefront this home offers a unique blend of antique and contemporary finishes. The minute you step through the front door you will know you are seeing something wonderfully unique at Deep Creek Lake.
Listed by Railey Realty & Debra Savage. More details here.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Split foyer 3 bedroom home for sale near New Germany state park GA7087027 $139,900
Convenient location near New Germany State Park and Deep Creek Lake. You’ll enjoy the quiet countryside from this spacious brick home. Features: multiple garage spaces, circular driveway, full basement, 2nd living room room/kitchen, enclosed back porch/sun room, multi-heat options and room to expand!
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
