JANUARY 2015
Prices show rise in sales, listings November statistics reveal significant increase in both for tri-county market area
Local Realtors collected more than 100 toys in a campaign for Toys for Tots. With some of them are, from left, Susan Megargee, George Rines, Colleen Deptula, Dan Varda and Ann Hammond.
Realtors collect toys in lower shore drive Berlin – Local Realtors are participating in this year’s Toys For Tots campaign in a big way. The Coastal Association of Realtors (CAR) collected more than 150 toys for distribution to children of all ages throughout the Lower Eastern Shore during its 2014 Toys For Tots office drive. A majority of those toys were donated by Dan Varda of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, an affiliate member of CAR. Varda’s family owns International Play Things, a toy company based out of New Jersey. Each year, the company donates $15,000 worth of toys, at cost, to the Toys For Tots cause. “It’s a good way to give back and Toys For Tots is a good organization,” Varda said. “Anyway we can support the community, as well as support our Marines, is very important.” The office toy drive was coordinated by the 2014 CAR Community Involvement Committee. “CAR is so honored by the generos-
ity of Dan and our membership,” said Colleen Deptula, committee member. “The desire to give back during this time of year is truly inspiring and we’re certainly happy to help a cause as worthy as Toys For Tots.” The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots is an organization whose mission is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. Parents are afforded the opportunity to choose age appropriate toys for their children during the Toys For Tots distribution dates. The local Toys For Tots program is administered by the Staff Sgt. Cohee Marine Corps League Detachment, which has been collecting toys for area children for more than 30 years. In 2013, the program distributed more than 11,500 toys to 6,212 children on the Lower Eastern Shore. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.
Berlin – Home listing prices and sales prices are on the rise in the tricounty area, according to the latest figures from the Coastal Association of Realtors (CAR). The November 2014 CAR Local Housing Statistics reflect an 11.5 percent jump in the average listing price and an 11.3 percent jump in the average sales price of single family homes and condominiums, compared to October 2014. “Rising listing Sheila Dodson and sales prices Executive Director reflect more and more homeowners having the ability to sell,” said Sheila Dodson, executive director of CAR, pointing out that the National Association of Realtors annual survey, released last month, revealed that the typical seller over the past year was in their home for 10 years before selling, which is an all-time survey high for tenure of home. “It’s a very encouraging sign both locally and nationally,” she said. Condominiums in Wicomico County saw the largest increase in average listing price at 11.2 percent. Single family homes in Somerset County saw the largest increase in sales prices at 46 percent. The average listing price for condominiums and single family homes in all three counties during November 2014 was $196,278 and the average sales price was $185,399. Contracts, or pending sales, continue to increase, with a total 40 per-
cent jump in the tri-county area compared to the same time last year. Settlements, or completed sales, fell off a bit, decreasing by 4.1 percent. October’s settlements saw a 3.9 percent increase compared to the same time last year, which was the first increase the area has experienced in several months. However, Linda Moran of Prudential PenFed Realty in Ocean City, said she expects the month of December will see a significant surge in settlement numbers. “Most buyers will want to settle before the end of the year for tax write-off purposes,” Moran said. “The market is good and will continue to be good through the end of the year.” November’s statistics also reflected a decrease in days on the market for single family homes in Wicomico and Worcester counties. Wicomico saw an 11 percent decrease and Worcester saw an 8.5 percent decrease. Visit www.coastalrealtors.org for more information about CAR’s local housing statistics.
CAR gives to Wounded Warriors project
Ocean City – The proceeds from a 50/50 raffle held during the Coastal Association of Realtors annual holiday party at Seacrets on 49th Street in Ocean City were donated this week to the Wounded Warrior Project. In total, Coastal Realtors made a $500 donation to this worthy cause. “During these times of unrest, it’s important to support all members of our military, particularly those who
are coming home wounded,” said Pam Wadler, chair of the CAR Events Committee that planned the holiday party. “I honestly can’t think of a better cause to benefit from our fundraiser.” Retired Army Cpl. John Rego accepted CAR’s donation on behalf of Wounded Warrior Project. Rego was a Special Operations Army Ranger in the 75th Ranger Regiment. He was
seriously injured in Iraq in April 2003. With the help of WWP, Rego has fully recovered and now works for CAR affiliate member T&G Builders in Berlin and competes in triathlons. “The sense of the community accepting returning soldiers is what really makes Wounded Warrior Project thrive,” Rego said. “Donations from local organizations like CAR gives
soldiers a sense of community, which is absolutely necessary to overcome post-traumatic stress and to transition from military to civilian life.” The 2014 CAR holiday party was sponsored by affiliate members Chris Short and Mike Ciorrocco of Universal Mortgage & Finance, Jamie Wetzelberger and Peter Scott of SunTrust Mortgage, Gary James of T&G See REALTORS Page 10