Mortgage Rates Hold Steady in December

Mortgage rates held steady in December, according to Freddie Mac, as 30-year fixed rate mortgages averaged 6.13% (well below the high point of 6.80% in July). Rates had fallen precipitously in November, which partially may have accounted for the recent increases in home sales and speculation that the housing market may have bottomed.

New and Existing Home Sales Both Up in November

During the month of November, an historically quiet month for home sales, new and existing homes sales nation-wide were both higher than October. A further sign the national market has bottomed and possibly turning in the other direction.

A Little Natural Snow Overnight

Garrett County received about an inch or so of snow since Tuesday evening, and with temperatures finally below freezing, Wisp took advantage and made snow overnight as well. Today will be seasonally chilly, however above-average temps look to return for the late week and weekend.

Real Estate for Christmas?

In the classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas" a despondent Charlie Brown asks Lucy what is it she really wants for Christmas? To which Lucy, obviously far more mature than her age would indicate responds, "REAL ESTATE!" Merry Christmas again from Deep Creek, and please feel free to contact me at gesabo@gmail.com if you are interested in exploring Deep Creek real estate.

Merry Christmas from Deep Creek!

Unfortunately, it now appears as if the storm we were tracking for a potential snow is going to take a track further west than previously expected and thus, greatly reduce the snow amounts Garrett County will receive from this storm. Nonetheless, on Tuesday as the storm moves to our northeast, the area should still see some lake effect and upslope snows on the backside of the storm, possibly amounting to 2-4 inches. In any event we wish you a very Merry Christmas from Garrett County!

Winter Storm Looking More Likely

Beginning Christmas day and continuing Tuesday and Wednesday, through "wrap around" and upslope snows, it is looking increasingly likely that Garrett County will be hit by a winter storm. The computer model consensus still shows a low pressure system developing along the Gulf Coast and moving northeastward toward New England. There may be some precipitation issues at the onset, but as colder air quickly filters in, any rain and ice would change over to snow. If indications continue to point toward the storm taking the aforementioned path, expect a winter storm watch to be issued by the National Weather Service some time late Saturday or early Sunday. The exact track and dynamics of the storm will determine weather this evolves as a moderate or major event for Garrett County.

Depicted below is the 06z GFS Model's interpretation of the event, valid oz Tuesday, or roughly 8pm EST Monday.

Building Permits Down Only Slightly in Garrett

While building permits nationally have declined precipitously of late, permits in Garrett County have waned only slightly. Between January and November of 2006, 650 permits were issued, down slightly from 697 of 2005 during the same period. For full story as featured in the Republican newspaper click here.

One of the newer developments in Garrett County is the Creekside Townhome Development, a lakefront community located on 219 before Uno's where Lakeside Motor Court previously was located. Construction has continued through the recent warm weather and they are making considerable progress.

December Snow Drought About to End?

So far this December, Garrett County has only received approximately 5 inches of snow. GC historically averages about 20 inches in December. Garrett's two least snowy Decembers were 1971 (4.5 inches) and 1986 (5.5 inches).

However, signals are pointing toward a possibility of snow for Christmas night through the 26th. At this point it is highly speculative but enough computer models are pointing toward the possibility of cyclonic development over the Gulf Coast Christmas eve and tracking northeastward....a track that would favor snow for western Maryland. However, at this point we are still too far out to make a definitive call and the details will still have to be worked out. Nonetheless, after a very warm and snowless November and December at least it appears we will be getting back to seasonal temperatures as we approach the New Year.

Understanding the Role of the Buyer's Agent

Frequently, many first time home buyers are unaware that a real estate agent can serve different roles. In short, the first thing a buyer should do when planning to purchase real estate is to select a buyer's agent to work with. The reason? Buyer's agents are absolutely free to the buyer, as the buyer's agent gets paid 99% of the time through splitting the commission with the listing agent. That is, if you were to purchase the real estate unrepresented, or if the listing agent were serving as a disclosed dual agent, the listing agent would most likely be receiving the entire commission himself or herself. As such, it is in the buyer’s great interest to work with a buyer's agent as they get the benefit of professional representation both while locating as well as while consummating the transaction. If you are interested in a property and speak to the listing agent, don't expect him/her to ask why you aren't working with a buyer's agent (remember they get more money if you are unrepresented). An additional benefit of buyer agency is that when the buyer eventually decides to sale the property they purchased, they already have an established relationship with an agent (now listing) who is informed of the history and characteristics of the subject property.

Snowmaking continues at Wisp with a light natural dusting this morning

Weather Forecast

Garrett County looks to get quite a bit of rain over the next 24 hours. A developing low over the south is moving northward and will pass to our west sometime tomorrow. Had this been December or if any cold air were tapped this could have been a snowstorm. As the low passes to our north and stalls it will wrap around colder air and may provide some lake effect snow showers Friday and the rest of the weekend. The weekend looks to be seasonably chilly with highs in the upper 30's and a chance at snow showers. There is a chance at another minor snow event early next week, however temps look to rebound going into Wednesday and Thanksgiving.

Garrett County Forecast:

• Thursday - High in the upper 50's, heavy rain most of the day
• Thursday Night - turning cooler, low in the upper 30's, drizzle
• Friday - High in the upper 30's, chance of rain/snow showers
• Friday Night - Low near 30, scattered snow showers
• Saturday - High in the mid 30's, scattered snow showers
• Saturday Night - Low mid 20's, snow showers likely
• Sunday - High in the mid 30's, snow showers likely

Local elevation

During the winter, much of Garrett County's propensity for snow is due in part to the region's elevation. With Deep Creek lake sitting at roughly 2400 ft, the areas surrounding the lake generally range from 2500 to 3000 ft. The following link lists various locations in Garrett County and identifies their elevation:

http://www.topozone.com/states/Maryland.asp?county=Garrett

Additionally, if you click on the locations, you can view individual elevation maps of the given location.

Mild Stretch

After a very chilly October and start to November, the longer range computer models are indicating a relaxing of the cold pattern for the next 10-14 days. We may not see any big snows during this time, but if there are any projects or events outdoors in the upcoming two weeks, it would be a perfect time to tie up any loose ends before winter in Garrett County begins.

More Snow on the Way?

You heard it here first...tonight's weather model runs are increasingly pointing towards a chance for some post-frontal, heavy wet snow overnight Wednesday into Thursday afternoon. Temperatures will be marginal, but I wouldn't be surprised to see another few inches in the Garrett County region over the next few days. The map below is the current American model, a surface depiction valid 1pm on Thursday.

Winter-like October morning

Early Sunday am picture showing the leftover snowfall from Saturday evening...

Surprise Snow?

After last weeks first snowfall of the year...this weekend was forecasted to include rain, wind, and some snow showers and flurries...however, after temperatures fell into the lower 30's during the late afternoon, the Deep Creek lake area was blanketed with around 2 inches of heavy wet snow. If October is any indicator, Garrett County may be in for a very snowy winter! The pic above is from Wisp's webcams.

Garrett County Map

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday from Deep Creek! The Garrett County area is currently under a high wind warning, as an intense storm is forecasted to bring heavy rains and high winds to the region Friday through Saturday afternoon. After a cold frontal passage during Saturday evening, there will be a chance for some lake effect snow showers, however with temperatures hovering around freezing little accumulation is expcted.