FANTASTIC COMMERCIAL PROPERTY W/ APPROX 5000 SQFT ON .6 ACRE LOT, CURRENTLY SET UP W/ A MAIN 2BR/1FB RESIDENCE W/ LARGE LR, KITCH & DINING ROOM AND TWO 1BR/1FB UNITS ABOVE THE COMMERCIAL SIDE OF PROPERTY. PARKING FOR 10+ CARS, GARAGE, LARGE STORAGE SHED AND GAZEBO IN BACKYARD. WAS LAST SET-UP AS A PET GROOMING BUSINESS. BUYER TO VERIFY PROPER ZONING. SOLD AS-IS, BUYER TO VERIFY HOA/CC.

CALL RON @ 443-414-3338 WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

STYLISH & UPSCALE 3 Level Townhome near PARK w/ parking pad. CLASSIC HARDWOOD throughout, GOURMET KITCHEN w/ SS Appliances, GRANITE COUNTERS & OPEN FLOOR PLAN. 15ft wide, mutiple DECKS, HUGE ROOMS, PREMIUM FINISHES throughout and 3.5 Baths w/ DESIGNER tile. DUAL ZONED & over 2600 sqft+ of LUXURY living. Walk to CONCERTS in the PARK and many GREAT RESTAURANTS. LOT OF HOUSE FOR PRICE!

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

2 BEDROOM, 1.5 BATH CANTON RENOVATION w/ BEAUTIFUL HARDWOOD FLOORS, OPEN FLOOR PLAN, EXPOSED BRICK AND GREAT LOCATION RIGHT OFF CANTON SQUARE. NICE TOUCHES THROUGHOUT, PLANTATION SHUTTERS, SKYLIGHT, CUTE BREAKFAST ROOM, SPACIOUS KITCHEN W/ BUILT-INS & A PRIVATE COURTYARD. UPSTAIRS WORKSPACE AREA, MSTR BEDROOM W/ Nice BUILT-INS, BASEMENT FOR STORAGE & LAUNDRY. 2 HOUR NOTICE REQUIRED.

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FANTASTIC BRICK RANCHER w/ HARDWOOD FLOORS, OPEN FLOOR PLAN, 3+ CAR PARKING & HUGE FINISHED BASEMENT. 3 BEDROOMS and 1.5 BATH w/ a second KITCHEN setup in BASEMENT. Lots of STORAGE SPACE and lots of CLOSETS. PERFECT STARTER HOME in a GREAT LOCATION. GREAT YARD & NICE TOUCHES Throughout. NEW Hot Water heater & newer appliances. EASY ACCES TO HIGHWAYS & THE BELTWAY. Easy to show call Ron Howard @ 443-414-3338

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LAS VEGAS — Smaller, cheaper, simpler.

Or, as Eliot Nusbaum put it, it's all about cents and sensibility. Nusbaum is executive editor for design at Better Homes & Gardens magazine, which annually polls its readers and others to get a sense of what's hot in housing or, as the current case may be, tepid. In the current market, even tepid will do.

Nusbaum recently presented the magazine's read of current homebuyer sentiment recently to attendees at the International Builders Show, the annual convention and trade show of the National Association of Home Builders. The publication polled readers who say they plan to purchase a home within the next year, in addition to gauging the sentiments of designers, builders and others. Their responses indicate that they absolutely get it that the real estate boom is over and it's time to start acting like grown-ups.

"Downsizing continues," said Nusbaum, who added that his reader sentiments were right in line with NAHB data showing that, for the first time since the early 1980s, the average newly built home declined in size, to 2,480 square feet from 2,520 square feet. "And we're seeing practical considerations. Homebuyers' priorities are price, energy, organization and comfort."

So, they're looking for rooms that can do double duty, he said. For example, buyers and people who are remodeling still want a home office, but many said they'd prefer one that also can serve as a craft or hobby room.

And though, like last year's show, the exhibitor booths on the trade show floor were filled to overflowing with products that boasted a "green" label, consumers are tailoring their definition of the word.

"They're moving away from that term to ‘energy efficiency,'" Nusbaum said. That is, when it comes to their houses, saving the rain forest is less on homebuyers' minds than saving on their heating bills.

He said home features made from recycled materials or produced with sustainability in mind are important to buyers only up to a point.

"Builders say their clients have a general interest in it, but as the price is presented, it falls away," Nusbaum said.

That sentiment was seconded by Rose Quint, the NAHB's assistant vice president for survey research, who poured out a raft of separately compiled data on just what homebuyers are looking for.

"I see a theme of energy efficiency," Quint said. She cited a list of 40 features that are considered "must-haves" by active home seekers. The top spots were dominated by such things as programmable thermostats, energy-efficient windows and well-insulated front doors.

Granite countertops didn't make that must-have list, she said. I heard the same thing at a separate presentation on kitchen trends, in which prominent kitchen designers said the material has become so widely available that it's being looked at as something for a "starter kitchen."

Is this a whoa moment?

Not at all, said Nusbaum, who's confident that granite is still an object of desire.

His magazine's research suggests that it's such a priority that home remodelers will make economic trade-offs, such as painting the old cabinetry, in order to get it.

Along the downsizing lines, the percentage of homes with three or more bathrooms or four or more bedrooms declined in 2009, Quint said. Along the same lines, the average new home cost $267,000 in 2009, down from $293,000 the year before.

Both Quint's and Nusbaum's studies indicate that even with other space-squeezing going on, homebuyers will dig in their heels on larger kitchen size.

"There's a return to thinking about spending more time with family," Nusbaum said, and thus the ability to eat at a kitchen table, as opposed to stools at a countertop, is highly desirable.

Make the exterior, including landscaping, as low-maintenance as possible, Nusbaum said. "Gardening is still America's top hobby, but most people don't want to deal with it."

This housing sobriety is probably going to outlast the recession, said Quint. She said this movement is being driven by first-time and financially chastened buyers.

"First-time homebuyers coming to the market is an impact that will last for years," she said. "Plus, the era of easy money is over. And because money is tight, I think this is here to stay."

Visit for all the details: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

A November 18, 2009 article by Rob Baedeker posted at Forbes.com features twelve city parks selected on criteria suggested by Peter Harnik, director of the Center for City Park Excellence at the Trust for Public Land in Washington, D.C., and Alan Tate, author of Great City Parks.

Harnik believes that “a great city park has to be a beautiful space that also has a great relationship with the city.” Tate says, “Your whole sense of place changes when you go into a successful city park. It gives you a feeling of going away without leaving town.”

The fact that Patterson Park has achieved the stature of these qualities is remarkable, given the rise and fall of its fortunes over the 182 years of its life. Born in 1827 as a 6-acre donation to the City of Baltimore by the merchant William Patterson, to be used as a public walk, it grew to 35 acres before being used for military purposes during the Civil War. By 1864 the park was in terrible shape, but over the following few decades Baltimore architect George A. Frederick established the lovely Victorian character that has distinguished Patterson Park to this day.

By 1913 the park had been expanded to its current 140 acres, but the park and its immediate neighborhoods were nearly lost in the 1970s and 1980s when social and economic forces pushed the park into use for drug dealing, which resulted in violence, vandalism and neighborhood decay.

Several sputtering attempts were made to save Patterson Park, but it wasn’t until 1993 that area leaders and the Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks began seriously focusing on park improvements and how to pay for them. That attention was important, but it has taken extraordinary efforts by dedicated and committed individuals to make it a great city park.

In 1998 a fledgling, non-profit group called Friends of Patterson Park evolved from a community master plan process. Tim Almaguer, the group’s current Executive Director, was there at the beginning and has helped Friends of Patterson Park develop the strong and productive relationship it has enjoyed with the Department of Recreation and Parks and surrounding communities.

Today, Friends of Patterson Park is a membership organization that helps promote, arrange and coordinate the wide array of activities and events that take place at Patterson Park all the time. Their website (posted below) contains information about the park and how individuals can become part of this vibrant group.

Over the years there have been many generous supporters of Friends of Patterson Park, along with collaborators like the non-profit group Banner Neighborhoods, which was founded in 1982 to provide communities in southeast Baltimore with resident-based leadership and neighborhood stability. Long term partners also include the Goldseker Foundation, the Baltimore Community Foundation, the Joseph & Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, the Allegis Group and the Clayton Baker Trust.

While financial and organizational support are critical, Patterson Park would not be the success it is without the 6,000 hours a year of hands on work performed by neighborhood volunteers who have planted over 800 trees in 10 years and who maintain the park’s beauty and accessibility through good times and bad.

Congratulations, Baltimore, for producing one of America’s best city parks. May you enjoy what Mayor Sheila Dixon has called your “dynamic city jewel,” and may you be able to sustain her.

To read the Forbes article, visit www.forbes.com/2009/11/18/best-city-parks-lifestyle-travel-central-park.html

To learn more about Friends of Patterson Park, visit www.Pattersonpark.com

The 182-year history of Patterson Park is as colorful as that of a human being, and the life of the park is just as vulnerable as human life. Its future is not guaranteed.

Birth and Growth

The idea of Patterson Park was born in 1827 when William Patterson, a Baltimore merchant, donated 6 acres to the City of Baltimore for a public walk. The city purchased another 29 acres from the Patterson family in 1860, and expansions occurred in 1873, 1883 and 1907. In 1913 the Olmsted Brothers (of New York City’s Central Park fame) recommended an expansion that pushed the total acreage to the current 144+.

A Disrupted Vision

Development of Patterson Park was interrupted when the park was used as a Union troop encampment after the Civil War broke out in 1861. The hill in Patterson Park—called Hampstead Hill, where the Pagoda now stands, had been previously put to military use by Baltimoreans who gathered on the hill in September 1814 to protect the city from the threat of a British invasion. (Myth has it that when British troops worked their way up the Patapsco River, bombarded Fort McHenry and then marched on the city of Baltimore, they looked up Hampstead Hill, saw 100 cannons and 20,000 troops, returned to their ships and sailed away.)

The encampment was called Camp Washburn, and later a hospital, known as Camp Patterson Park, was set up. When the hospital was dismantled in 1864, the park was in terrible shape.

Developing Character

After the war, Baltimore architect George A. Frederick, who worked for the Baltimore Park Commission from 1863 to 1895, established the lovely Victorian character that has distinguished Patterson Park to this day. The 60-foot high Pagoda, designed by Baltimore architect Charles H. Latrobe, was built in 1891 (the Pagoda reflects Baltimoreans’ fascination with the Orient and William Patterson’s link to the silk trade in Canton, China).

Frederick and Latrobe designed other park elements, and the Olmsted Brothers (famous for their creation of Central Park in New York City) developed a design for the eastern section of the park that was intended to accommodate and promote active recreation.

The current Patterson Park master plan, created in 1998, honors the park’s history and emphasizes restoration and historic preservation, rather than on a redesign.

The Inherent Value of Patterson Park Trampled

In survey after survey, Americans rank open space among the most important contributors to quality of life and all across the nation parks are being renovated because of the recognition that open space is vital to the health of communities at the physical, spiritual and economic levels.

Although open space has inherent value, that value can only be realized through the use conferred on that space. Today, Patterson Park undoubtedly enhances the quality of life in the neighborhoods of Fells Point, Butchers Hill, Patterson Park, Highlandtown, Canton and many more. That has not always been the case. The city came close to losing Patterson Park and its immediate neighborhoods in the 1970s and 1980s when social and economic forces pushed the park into use for drug dealing, made it a place where violence flourished and brought the vandalism that typically accompanies those kinds of activities.

During that period the beloved Music Pavilion succumbed to an arson fire, other park structures were damaged and the vegetation was destroyed. The positive value of the park and the neighborhoods had been lost.

A Slow and Difficult Reversal of Fortunes

A 2002 article titled “The Best Backyard in Baltimore,” by Peter Harnik for The Trust for Public Land, tells the challenge-filled story of how the heart and soul of Patterson Park was reclaimed.

Harnik quotes the writing of Jane Jacobs (author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities): In her critique of city parks, she said, “A large, ungovernable space in a changing, racially polarized neighborhood was becoming the kind of ‘gray area’ that can bring down its entire community.” Harnik responds with, “But what Jacobs didn’t fully appreciate is that the same plot of land, if loved, can become the very catalyst around which other neighbors organize to save their community.”

There were several sputtering attempts to save Patterson Park, but it wasn’t until 1993 that area leaders and the Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks began seriously focusing on park improvements and how to pay for them. The attention was important, but it took extraordinary efforts by dedicated and committed individuals to produce results.

Among the movers and shakers were 20-year Southeast Baltimore residents Mary Roby and Nancy Supik. Mary moved from the Master Plan Advisory Committee to the presidency of a fledgling group, organized in 1998, called Friends of Patterson Park, and Nancy moved up from high performing volunteer to paid director. In four years the group became the soul of Patterson Park and the envy of park supporters in other neighborhoods.

A non-profit membership organization, Friends of Patterson Park promotes, protects and advocates for the treasured common ground of Patterson Park, based on the belief that a well used and well tended park contributes to the health and vitality of its neighborhoods. The group has helped make Patterson Park the “Best Backyard in Baltimore,” and strives to:

·    Ensure that the recommendations of the Master Plan are followed and funded.

·    Provide residents with a voice in planning all future park activities and to sponsor and promote new activities and events to enhance the park’s image and increase park use.

·    Support the programming activities of the Department of Recreation and Parks.

·    Develop volunteer programs and fundraising strategies to support these goals.

Friends of Patterson Park has advocated for $10M worth of park capital projects, produces, organizes and sponsors 75% of park events, has raised over $2M that has gone into community service and provides free programs for over 50,000 residents who live near the park.

Forty two percent of the 440 residents who live within walking distance of the park and participated in the 2008 User Survey of Patterson Park, conducted by the University of Maryland for Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks and The Friends of Patterson Park, report that they are members of Friends of Patterson Park.

If you haven’t visited Patterson Park in a while, perhaps because of memories of what it once was, we encourage you to drop by, or to attend one of the special events posted at www.pattersonpark.com. We also encourage you to become familiar with other organizations that combined efforts to create the “perfect storm” that turned Patterson Park into a premier asset of Baltimore City. You can find them at http://www.pattersonparkneighbors.org/about/partners.html.

The Side Effects

A high quality of life is its own reward, but it has economic value as well.

Cities across the nation are discovering and proving that development and preservation of open space increases property values, increases tax revenues (businesses that want high quality of life for their employees are attracted to sites near open spaces) and that investments in open space pay off in surprisingly short periods of time.  

In Baltimore, more clusters of high priced properties have blossomed in neighborhoods around Patterson Park during its turn around than in any other area of the city. As great a benefit as this is, the danger is that people will forget the fact that none of this would have been possible without the extraordinary contributions made by individuals and the host of non-profit organizations whose energies continue to nurture and sustain the vitality of Patterson Park.

What We Can Do to Assure a Healthy Future for Patterson Park and Improve Baltimore City

As a realtor and leader of The Ron Howard Group, I am dedicated to the city I serve. My team and I have been supporters of Friends of Patterson Park through direct involvement with the organization for the past couple of years and we are pleased to be part of this success story.

One of the things I’ve learned from this experience is the importance of seeing the big picture. When working for property sellers I’ve always considered it my number one job to get top dollar for my clients through my marketing and negotiating skills. But now I also see the importance of working for the community as a whole, which in effect helps future clients get top dollar for their properties, even before they become clients.

During economic hardships, like the one we are experiencing, it is easy to lose sight of the important connections between costs and benefits, and to focus on short-term needs. Such a shift of focus is what gets old cycles started again. Without a sustained effort through direct action and through contributions to those who act, the benefits that have been delivered through the 182-year life of Patterson Park could once again be lost.

Whether you’re a resident or real estate professional, we would love to have you contact us to discuss the many opportunities to improve our great city. And, of course, we are here to help you with all of your real estate needs.

Ron Howard

Contact The Ron Howard Group @ 410-814-2404 or email Ron @ ron@livebaltimorecity.com.

Whenever I boarded a commercial plane I would remember news reports of crashes, and I developed a little ritual of always looking at the pilot’s eyes to get a sense of whether or not he or she seemed prepared and focused. Even after each pilot passed my little test I was still convinced I could die, every time I took a flight.

Buying a home for the first time can be just as stressful and emotional as flying was for me, because you have to put yourself in the hands of someone who is supposed to be skilled enough to get you safely and successfully from one end of your transaction to the other. You need to be able to look your realtor in the eyes and get the sense that she or he is fully prepared and focused, and will protect you from the kinds of difficulties you’ve probably heard can happen in real estate transactions.

Discovering Where the Confidence Comes From

I had no idea what to expect during my first flying lesson. After talking with my flight instructor for about 15 minutes we walked out to the plane, he explained the controls, we started the engine, and before I knew it we were taxiing down the taxiway, and I thought to myself, “Pretty cool.”

But then the instructor asked me if I wanted to take off. “What the heck am I doing?” I thought. “Why would I want to leave the ground? Who is this instructor guy? How many hours does he have under his belt?” That old terror came roaring over me, but we took off anyway … and it was beautiful. Terrifying and beautiful at the same time.

After about six lessons I realized where that mysterious confidence I see in commercial pilots comes from. It comes from being prepared and from being properly trained. A pilot learns how to pre-flight a plane, understands the rigorous annual inspections of every plane by the Federal Aviation Agency, knows how to test all of the plane’s systems prior to take off and knows about weather patterns. Most importantly, pilots know that every activity they go through when preparing and flying a plane is on a checklist that every pilot uses, every time, because every single step is critical for the safety of the plane and its occupants.

Once you understand what a pilot goes through during training, realize that planes are thoroughly inspected and, that flight plans are prepared on the day of a flight—with a focus on weather, you get it. You realize that a good pilot is prepared and the plane is prepared because of the checklist system that prevents doing something dumb, like forgetting to put fuel in the tank or accidentally flying into a thunderstorm.

The Ron Howard Group Has Earned Its Wings

We know that you may be feeling anxious and nervous as you get on board to purchase your first home—maybe even terrified. We would like to be the ones to welcome you aboard and to show, every step of the way, that you are in good hands.

Without a highly skilled real estate agent at the controls, you can over pay, you could miss critical inspections or other due diligence steps that might cost you later, or you could end up with an inexperienced or under-qualified lender or title company. What you need is a realtor with the same level of confidence you see when you look in the eyes of that pilot who is going to take your life into her or his hands for the next 5 hours.

I’ve brought my experiences as an FAA licensed pilot into my work as a realtor. My team is fully trained, credentialed and experienced so that we can handle with confidence whatever needs to be done to successfully complete your real estate transaction.

We will take you from that uneasy feeling you get right before your plane starts rolling toward take-off, to a calm and steady flight and to a safe and smooth landing. We will be there at the end of your transaction with the same confident smile you will see when we welcome you aboard.

Contact The Ron Howard Group @ 410-814-2404 or email Ron @ ron@livebaltimorecity.com.

Every buyer should go through a thorough process called due diligence. State law is designed to afford as much protection as possible for property sellers and purchasers through licensing of real estate professionals and procedural requirements, but regulations are limited to broad strokes and generalities, and you will be the one holding the bag if there’s something about the property (or its location) you didn’t know about until after you buy it.

The Big Picture

What’s the neighborhood like? What’s it like when that nearby school is open or during rush hour or when the sun goes down? Once you’ve found a home you think you want, walk and drive around the area at varying times of day and night and at different times of the week. Get a feel for the types and qualities of activity that could impact your life if you lived in that home that looks so good in the bright light of a Sunday afternoon. Where are the shopping centers and resources that you will need once you settle into a routine?

If you want to be really thorough, go to the city Planning Department and look at the zoning map. You might find that the property you want is near a commercial zone, a high density housing zone or a redevelopment zone that is subject to future changes. Ask a planner if he or she knows of any long range plans that might affect the area you are considering moving to. Are there special fire hazard or flooding zones?

The Property

Remember that your realtor is supposed to be representing your best interests, but don’t be afraid to involve her or him in your own due diligence process. If not already covered, ask for proof that the property lines are, in fact, where they appear to be (the line may not be right where that fence is located, and you wouldn’t want to discover later that you bought a fence that has been built on someone else’s property).

If there are additions that could have been added to the original house, or structures that have been erected elsewhere on the property, obtain copies of building permits to assure they are legal. Sometimes property owners throw up a shed or workshop in ignorance of setback requirements and building codes. Violations discovered after you buy could result in having to tear down or modify illegal improvements.

The Building

The critical components of any house are the structure and the electrical, plumbing and heating systems—things you can’t see, but could be very expensive to repair or replace. Water proofing materials and details, intended to protect the structure and interior, can result in structural deterioration if they are of poor quality and are not properly installed.

It takes a practiced eye and special knowledge to evaluate these components, and you will be doing yourself a great disservice if you don’t hire a reputable home inspector to prepare a thorough report on the condition of the property. Ideally, you should attend the inspection so you can see first hand what you’re thinking of buying. Use the results of the inspection to negotiate the repairs if there are costly deficiencies.

Seller Accountability

State law requires only that a seller furnish a purchaser with either (a) a RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT stating that the owner is selling the property "as is" and makes no representations or warranties as to the condition of the property or any improvements on the real property, except as otherwise provided in the contract of sale, or in a listing of latent defects; or (b) a RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT disclosing defects or other information about the condition of the real property actually known by the owner. Certain transfers of residential property are excluded from this requirement.

Make Sure You Get What You Think You’re Getting

The Ron Howard Group prides itself in its attention to detail and going beyond and above industry standards to provide excellent service for every single client. We like to help our clients understand all aspects of the process they will go through when buying or selling property, and encourage buyers to complete the due diligence steps that only they can perform.

We’d love to discuss any questions you might have about how real estate transactions work, or to represent you on either side of a transaction. Give us a call.

Contact The Ron Howard Group @ 410-814-2404 or email Ron @ ron@livebaltimorecity.com.

The realtor, who knows the market and current market conditions, will recommend an asking price (which might be above what the realtor thinks will be the actual sales price in order to allow for some give and take with potential buyers—if the seller is not in a rush to sell).

To figure the net gain from the sale, the seller must take into consideration the cost of the sale, which includes the realtor commission (say 6% -- but is negotiable) and “closing costs,” which include proration of property taxes, settlement of any liens (such as a loan on the property) and standard administrative fees that cover things like the release of a mortgage. From that perspective, the owner pays the realtor.

To get a desired property, a buyer must pay the asking price, or successfully negotiate a lower price (the agent representing the buyer may recommend offering a price below the asking price, to allow for negotiating room on the buyer’s side). But because the sales price includes the realtor commission, you could say the buyer pays the realtor.

The only way to cut out the cost of a commission is to deal party to party (for sale by owner). That way, a seller can afford to lower the price, perhaps beating the competition, and the buyer can get the property for less (the “savings” of the commission can be split between seller and buyer).

Because buying and selling property is relatively complicated (not as cut and dried as, say, buying a car—and involves large amounts of money), the risks involved in making a real estate transaction without professional oversight might not justify the savings. Party to party transactions are best reserved for people who have had plenty of experience buying and selling property, and who have the time and knowledge to do the marketing and to shepherd a deal through the closing process.

What a Realtor Gets

Most likely, both buyer and seller will be dealing with a real estate agent who works under the supervision and management of a real estate brokerage house, so you could have four entities involved in a single transaction: a listing agent (or selling agent), that agent’s brokerage house, a buying agent and that agent’s brokerage house.

The listing agent is the agent “hired” by the property owner to market and sell the property. The listing agent might end up finding a buyer for the property, in which case the listing agent would receive the entire commission, which would be split with that agent’s brokerage house.

If another agent (called a cooperating agent) brings a buyer to the table, and the property is sold to that party, the commission would be split between the agents, who would each split their portion with their respective brokerage house.

A form called “Understanding Whom Real Estate Agents Represent,” prepared by the State of Maryland Real Estate Commission, must be prepared and given to the seller and buyer by their respective agents. Read the document carefully and ask for clarification of any parts you do not understand.

What It Takes to Get Paid

If 6% sounds like a lot ($18,000 on a sale of $300,000, for example), it helps to know that multiple professionals must work together to effectively price, market, negotiate, handle transaction details (sometimes the job requires coordinating “cascading” closings, in which one sale is contingent upon the close of another sale), deal with lenders and sometimes contentious buyers or sellers. And much effort can be expended between “pay days.” Realtors get paid for performance.

A part of real estate transactions is what is called “closing.” A closing officer, also known as a settlement officer, is generally appointed by the title company that the buyer chooses to work with. The main duty of a settlement officer is to look over the process that goes with the closing of a deal. They take care of the paperwork, check that documents are duly signed and the transaction duly executed by collecting, holding and distributing the money involved in the transaction. They witness the closing of a deal and see that everything is carried out in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

The Ron Howard Group is deeply committed to the real estate profession and to great results. We’ve been doing nothing but real estate for years and have continuously improved our efficiency and award winning capabilities. Remember, all realtors get compensation, but not all realtors are equal.

We’d love to discuss any questions you might have about how real estate transactions work, or to represent you on either side of a transaction. Give us a call.

Contact The Ron Howard Group @ 410-814-2404 or email Ron @ ron@livebaltimorecity.com.

The Ron Howard Group is totally dedicated to achieving the highest and best result for every single client—and we know what it takes to guarantee success. 

All of our team members are real estate professionals who strive for continuous improvement through training and obtaining industry credentials, and who have built knowledge, expertise and people skills through years of on-the-job experience and community service.

Grounded in professionalism, honesty and integrity, our unique team approach enables us to deliver on our commitment to highest and best outcomes for our clients.

Our Team

Ron Howard

Ron became a real estate professional after he and a partner bought, renovated and sold dozens of properties, and he has built on his professional experiences in sales, information technology, broadcast video production, and computer networking—from which he learned how to launch innovative, high-impact marketing campaigns. A corner stone accomplishment was creating and launching Proforms, a contract writing software for the residential real estate industry. His specialty in the technology of automating work groups and work flow has bolstered his success in pioneering a team approach to the real estate business.

Today, Ron is recognized in Baltimore and surrounding communities as a proven real estate professional who counsels home buyers on current market trends, assists with property valuation and purchasing, and through his exceptional negotiating skills achieves the best price and contractual terms for the sellers he represents.

Professional memberships include the National Association of Realtors and Anne Arundel County Association of Realtors. Ron was on the Communications Committee of the Maryland Association of Realtors in 2007 and 2008, and continues his membership with that association as well.

In 2008 Ron appeared in an episode of HGTV's nationally broadcast “My House is Worth What?” as an expert in real estate pricing and sales. As the leader of a winning, top-producing team, Ron has received numerous awards and recognitions, including RE/MAX Chairman's Club and, in spite of a historically challenging real estate market, was an area Top Producer in both 2007 and 2008.

While much of his time is spent working with clients, Ron delights in giving to the community—often by supporting non-profit efforts such as Believe in Tomorrow (he is an event committee member for this organization, which promotes family unity during childhood medical crises). He is also a member of The Friends of Patterson Park fundraising committee, an organization committed to improving this wonderful park.

As an FAA licensed private pilot with a passion for flying, Ron belongs to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and in his free time he also enjoys snowboarding and the beach.

Tressa Manna

Born and Raised in Little Italy (one of Baltimore’s best neighborhoods), Tressa’s background in interior design, refined furniture and space planning gives her great rapport with high end buyers and sellers and enhances her broad knowledge of both residential and commercial real estate throughout the Baltimore area.

Tressa is a Graduate of Realtor Institute (GRI), is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) and holds memberships with the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors (GBBR), the Maryland Association of Realtors (MARS) and the National Association of Realtors (NARS). Tressa received the REMAX Executive Club Award in 2006 and the REMAX 100% Club in 2007.

When not assisting clients with their real estate needs, Tressa gets involved with the Little Italy community or enjoys her favorite pastimes of traveling, collecting European antiques and spending time with her nephew Angelo Paul. She also enjoys running, reading, dining, cooking and entertaining at home.

Kerri Tkach

Kerri Tkach is a long time resident of Federal Hill and has used her knowledge of the Baltimore Harbor neighborhoods in her seven years of working successfully as a real estate agent in Baltimore. She has sold real estate in 20 different neighborhoods and is a proud member of LiveBaltimore.com.

She grew up in Maryland and attended college in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1998.

On numerous occasions Kerri has been interviewed by the Baltimore Sun for her real estate expertise.

Pete Sowa

Young, accomplished, smart and full of energy, Pete transitioned into real estate in 2006 from his background of small business management, project management and sales. He is a resident of Patterson Park in Southeast Baltimore and an Alumnus of Towson University.

Among his designations are the realtor's graduate designation (GRI) and Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE). He is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Maryland Association of Realtors and Anne Arundel County Association of Realtors and is a Preferred Real Estate Professional and an Ambassador of the "Live Baltimore Home Center" (Ambassadors play a key role in Live Baltimore Home Center's outreach strategy of connecting with current and potential residents to tell them about the advantages and excitement of city life).

When he has free time, Pete enjoys supporting his Patterson Park community as an active member of both the Patterson Place Community Association and Friends of Patterson Park.

Kristie Houser

Kristie is our talented and upbeat exception to our group of real estate agents. She is our full time designer and advertising coordinator, and is a great supporting team member.

Signs on the Interstate

Les Christie, staff writer for CNNMoney, offered a view from the national highway on April 1, 2009. He saw that the number of existing homes under contract ticked up in February, after hitting historic lows in January.

Pending home sales in the Midwest region were the highest, jumping 14.5%. The Northeast followed with growth at 10.6%. The South came around the bend with a 4.4% increase. However, the West was still headed in the wrong direction, with a drop of 13.5%.

Housing affordability, which is based on the relationship between home prices, mortgage interest rates and family income, is up 36.3% from a year ago (a record high). The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says this means that a family earning the national median of $59,700 could afford a $285,600 home in February (assuming they devote no more than 25% of gross income to mortgage principal and interest). The national median price for existing single-family homes is $164,600.

NAR sees the road smoothing out a bit by the end of the year as first-time buyers, supported by housing stimulus incentives, absorb excess inventory.

Signs on the Streets of Baltimore

At the end of March, the median single family home in Baltimore was $200,000 – above the national average, and $30,000 below the January 2008 Baltimore price. The market has plateaud at the $200,000 mark for the first quarter of this year, lopping off the steep downward drop in prices during the last half of last year. It’s too early to call trends, what with so much wrong in the domestic and global economies, but at least it’s a breather from that dive off the cliff, and might be an indicator that we’re somewhere in the area of the bottom.

The upper half of the market (median price of $239,900 and up) has begun trending up, but that up tick could be knocked down if the lower half can’t lift off the plateau.

Inventory has been falling in recent weeks, but days on market have been increasing since the middle of last year. It’s still clearly a buyer’s market

Feel Free to Unbuckle Your Seat Belt and Roam Around

Now that most of us have shaken off the major effects of the turmoil, and we see that we’re still alive (having made whatever adjustments necessary for financial balance—and sympathetically mindful of those caught by the high unemployment rate) we can begin to stand up, walk around, and take a good look at the reworked landscape.

The obvious upside of the real estate collapse is bargains and opportunities, and taking advantage of opportunities requires doing some planning and preparation (see this blog: March 3, 2009 - Get Ready, Get Set…for this Historic Buyer’s Market; and March 31, 2009 – This is a Good Time to Put Your House in Order). Housing is still high on anyone’s list of concerns, and it’s a perfect time to get clear about what you want and what you can afford. If you are already a home owner, this might be the time for a major lifestyle change.

And it’s a great time to get to know the dozens of unique and diverse communities that make up the great city of Baltimore. They comprise a broad palette, each having its own flavor, atmosphere, qualities and attractions. Take some time to explore. You’ll probably discover some jewels you didn’t know were there.

And give us a call for a free, no pressure discussion about any of your real estate concerns or needs. We say we are your source for Baltimore real estate for a reason. We love this city, have been active citizens for a long time, and know the city’s real estate inside and out. Sharing our knowledge and expertise is a pleasure.

Contact The Ron Howard Group @ 410-814-2404 or email Ron @ ron@livebaltimorecity.com.