Real Estate
THE COASTAL REAL ESTATE RESOURCE Coastal Association of Realtors - OC Today-Dispatch Published by OC Today-Dispatch for the Coastal Association of Realtors. Advertising in this publication is limited to members and affiliated members of the Association.
The COASTAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (CAR) is a trade organization for real estate professionals in Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset Counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Its membership consists of more than 1,000 REALTORs® and affiliate members serving the home-buying and homeselling needs of the public since 1957.
The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark, which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics.
The COASTAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS is located at 314 Franklin Avenue, Suite 106 • Berlin, MD 21811. Phone: 410-641-4409. On the Web: www.coastalrealtor.org
OC TODAY-DISPATCH is the leading newspaper publisher on the Maryland coast, with OC Today-Dispatch publishing weekly on Friday, Bayside Gazette and Ocean City Digest publishing on Thursdays and Real Estate, the Coastal Real Estate Resource publishing key weekends throughout the year.
On the Web: www.octodaydispatch.com
Editor......................................................................... Stewart Dobson
Steve Green
Managers....................... Mary Cooper, Renée Kelly, Terri French
Pamela Green
Publisher..................................................................... Christine Brown Administrative Asistant.......................................................... Gini Tufts
PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE OC SKYLINE & BAY from this unique cul-de-sac home. A full-length balcony is perfect for any occasion. Parking for 8 to 10 vehicles, plus 2 more in the oversized garage. A large patio & cleared rear yard offer more outdoor possibility! Hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings brighten the living area, leading to a tiled sunroom. Granite, stainless steel, a large breakfast bar, and a walk-in pantry highlight the kitchen. Primary suite w/walk-in closet and remodeled bath. One of the guest rooms has a 15x12 sitting room/office). The 13x5 laundry room has lots of cabinets, utility sink & counter space.
AVAILABLE HALF-ACRE VACANT LOT
located in The Whitetail Sanctuary, created to include larger lots and beautiful homes in a serene setting among the wildlife! The amenity filled community of Ocean Pines is just minutes away from Ocean City’s attractions, Historic Berlin, and Assateague Island National Seashore. Enjoy the Yacht Club, Beach Club, golf course, 5 swimming pools, walking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, skateboard park & more! $159,000
include an indoor pool, hot tub, outside shower, beachfront deck, 2 elevators, 2 assigned parking spaces. All located so close to all that OC has to offer!
Located on a cul-de-sac in beautiful Colonial Village! Experience the perfect blend of classic elegance and modern living with the Bristol II. The formal living room & formal dining room are perfect for hosting gatherings. The combined Great Room, Breakfast Room and Kitchen create an inviting space for get togethers. Retreat to your Owner's Bedroom, which features a luxurious ensuite bathroom. In addition, three more bedrooms offer flexibility for family or guests. Double car detached garage included!
EXPERIENCE COASTAL LUXURY!
YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED in Triple Crown Estates, the newest section of Ocean Pines! Surround yourself with luxury homes on an oversized corner lot that backs up to protected woodlands, offering extra privacy. Minimum 1800 sq ft plus 2 car garage for a one level home, or 2300 sq ft plus 2 car garage for a two level. Only 60 lots total in Triple Crown Estates. The award winning and amenity filled community of Ocean Pines is just minutes away from Ocean City’s famous boardwalk, shopping, dining, amusements and entertainment.
$150,000
comes fully furnished & with a new roof, refrigerator, washer, dryer & encapsulated crawl space. The two-story great room has a corner fireplace & access to the large deck. Hardwood flooring in the dining and kitchen areas. Features include a walk-in pantry, 3 spacious bedrooms plus an extra bonus room, utility sink, central vacuum & a large, screened porch.
This 5BR, 6BA Waterfront Estate on 4.88 acres features an infinity-edge pool with hot tub, summer kitchen & lighted pier with boat & jet ski lifts. Inside boasts a gourmet kitchen with granite, dual dishwashers, formal/casual living, theater room, billiard lounge, wet bar & office. The top-level primary suite offers a spa bath, walk-in closet & private bay view balcony.
in the Refuge at Dirickson Creek! The great room area features 9' ceilings, recessed
1404 N. CHASE ST, OCEAN PINES
Demetria Jones - ERA Martin Associates, Di'Mond Lockwood - Meredith Fine Properties, Alana Melendez - ERA Martin Associates, Phillip Anderson - Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva, Brooke Adler - Long & Foster Real Estate – Salisbury, Roseline Saint Cyr Saillant -
Shockley - Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva, Pamela Shockley - Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva, Heidi Thomas - Atlantic Shores Sotheby's International
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of Delmarva, Dana Miller - Worthington Realty Group, Michael Elmore - eXp Realty-MD and DE Group, Cherody Budler - Coastal Resort Sales and Rentals, Michael Whittington - Long &
Real Estate – Salisbury, Kimberly Rayfield - Long & Foster Real Estate – Salisbury, Cynthia Mackey - Sheppard Realty, Jeff Donohue - Atlantic Shores Sotheby's International Realty, John Parsons – Compass, Victor King - Vision Realty Group of Salisbury, Cole Gismondi - RE/MAX Advantage Realty-Salisbury, Cendra Williams - Karsons Keys, Daniela Tanasa - Coldwell Banker Realty, Michael Bowie - Whitehead Real Estate Executives, Nor Agha - ERA Martin Associates, Lexus Freeman - Coldwell Banker Realty-Salisbury, Not Pictured: Judi Elliott - Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva North and Nemanja Radojevic - Northrop Realty
Coastal Assoc. welcomes 29 new Realtors at orientation
The Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) proudly welcomed 29 new real estate professionals at its New Member Orientation held on May 21, 2025, at the association’s headquarters in Berlin. This comprehensive session introduced incoming members to the many tools, benefits, and support systems available through CAR.
The orientation, which is a requirement for all new REALTOR® members, included a morning session focused on association resources, professional standards, and networking opportunities, followed by the Maryland Ethics (“D”) course in the afternoon.
“We are thrilled to welcome this new
group of professionals to our association,” said CAR President Lauren Bunting. “Our goal is to provide them with the tools, education, and advocacy they need to succeed in today’s real estate market. We’re excited to support their growth and celebrate their future accomplishments.”
CAR’s New Member Orientation highlights essential services including advocacy at the local and state levels, member-exclusive tools like FOREWARN and SentriLock, continuing education opportunities, and a full calendar of networking events. New members were also introduced to the Coastal Member Portal, where they can register for classes, events, and manage their accounts.
(L to R) Bridgit Avon- Redfin, Morgan Sullivan-Decker - Coastal Life Realty Group,
Long & Foster Real Estate
Salisbury, Gerald
Realty, Shawn Long
Keller Williams Realty
Foster
In an emergency, know what your insurance policy offers
One notable component of strong emergency preparation involves assessing current insurance policies to determine if changes to existing coverage might be necessary. Policy holders can consider this approach as they plan to assess their coverage.
Emergency preparation is a multifaceted process that can save lives, money, time, and effort should a storm or natural disaster strike. Here are some tips to help you through the process.
Get to know your policy. Policy holders may or may not know just how much coverage they have and if any exclusions are written into their existing policies. If you aren't entirely certain what your current policy covers, then familiarize yourself with it to see if you can spot any potentially costly shortcomings in coverage.
its to ensure they'll be able to rebuild and/or repair their current properties if they're damaged in a storm. If the most recent assessment of a property falls far short of the current market value of the home, it might not be so easy to be reimbursed for the present-day market value of the home. Increasing coverage can safeguard homeowners from such an issue.
Consider additional coverage. Homeowners living in areas vulnerable to certain types of storms may want to consider purchasing additional coverage. Flood insurance may be expensive, but it's an investment worth making for homeowners living in coastal areas or other vulnerable regions.
Insurance providers are responsible for providing annual copies of any policy, even those that are simply renewed each year. Renew the policy each year so you can identify areas where you're covered and where you might need additional protection.
Consider your coverage limits. Homeowners recognize the value of real estate has skyrocketed in recent years. While that's good for those planning to sell their homes soon, all homeowners may need to increase their coverage lim-
Some providers may not offer flood insurance due to the high risk of flooding, so it's best to determine the need for such coverage and to start shopping as soon as possible if it's needed.
Work with your provider. Insurance providers may recommend homeowners take certain steps that can both safeguard their homes from storms and lower their insurance premiums. Policy holders can initiate this conversation with their providers and to ask which tweaks can save them money and which might be most effective should their home end up in the path of a storm.
Patios, pergolas, can perk up your outdoor living space
Outdoor living spaces are wildly popular, and there’s much to gain from upgrading your yard for outdoor living . In addition to the improved functionality and additional usage residents get to enjoy when upgrading these spaces, such projects can improve resale value.
In fact, a 2021 survey of real estate agents conducted by HomeLight found that a new patio provided an average return on investment of 109 percent.
There’s much to gain in both the short- and long-term when upgrading an outdoor living space. The following are a handful of must-have features to make such spaces an even better addition to a home’s existing layout and landscape.
• Multi-functionality: The home renovation experts at This Old House note versatility in an outdoor living space can set a stage for relaxation, entertaining and family activities.
Outdoor living spaces tend to be most useful when they’re multifunctional, providing a space where residents can relax on weekend mornings and evenings throughout the week while also offering the potential to entertain crowds during backyard barbecue season. Homeowners can keep this in mind and prioritize multifunctionality when designing outdoor living spaces.
• Seamless connectivity with interior designs: Though outdoor living areas
were long viewed as areas wholly separate from home interiors, that traditional outlook has changed in recent years.
In a 2024 survey conducted by Fixr, 78 percent of industry experts noted a coherent indoor-outdoor design was the most popular outdoor living space trend that year. This design choice suggests an outdoor living space is an extension of the home as opposed to a wholly separate area.
• Comfortable seating: The days of stackable plastic lawn chairs are largely a thing of the past. Modern outdoor living spaces offer comfortable, all-weather seating where residents and guests can gather to relax and engage in conversation.
Accent tables to place drinks and other items is another nice touch that can add to the comfort-first feel of an outdoor space. Modular furniture merits homeowners’ consideration, as such furnishings can be customized and rearranged for each gathering and might prove easier to store for homeowners who will be taking the seating in over the winter.
• Lighting: Summer gatherings in outdoor living spaces tend to continue past sundown. Proper lighting can ensure spaces are safely navigated when the sun goes down. Sufficient lighting also enhances the visual appeal of the space when natural light is no longer enough to illuminate a space.
We love the sunshine, but it isn’t always good for us. Sun exposure damages skin and also can prematurely age outdoor fabrics and furniture. Time spent in direct sunlight also can make outdoor activities hot and uncomfortable for guests.
Shelters come in different types, and these are some popular ones.
Screened-in porches Turning a deck or a patio into a protected room may be accomplished by converting the space into a screened-in porch. By installing vertical screens and a roof or overhang, everyone is protected from the sun. Retailers also sell freestanding screened-in structures that can be left up for the season and then dismantled and stored for the winter.
Pergola A pergola has vertical columns upon which sits a slatted roof. A pergola can be designed to cover an entire deck or small enough to create a slightly sheltered spot in a nook of the
yard. Its slatted roof is enough to filter out sunlight to make the area underneath more comfortable.
Arbor While they seem similar, an arbor is not the same thing as a pergola. An arbor is designed with sides formed from lattice and often has an arched top, says Penn Dutch Structures. Arbors add shade and a decorative element typically to designate the entry point into a backyard or garden.
Gazebo A gazebo is a roofed, freestanding structure that is typically round, hexagonal or octagonal in shape. It is used for shade, relaxation, and often serves as a decorative element in an outdoor space.
Pavillion Like a gazebo, a pavillion doesn't have enclosed walls - or a floor. They’re commonly are attached to decks, paver patios and concrete bases. Most are styled as long and rectangular, serving mainly to provide coverage over a patio or seating area.
Need Help with Suummer V Vaacation n Planning?
doors walk-in shower & pebble accents in primary suite. Hall BA tub/shower with tiled backsplash. Designer pieces & furnishing accessories included sale. Panoramic views of beach & pool from balcony. Ground-level storage area with beach essentials. Walking distance to shops, restaurants & movie theater. Easy access to transportation. Well-maintained, self-managed building overseen by dedicated manager of 30 years. Proven rental history & currently booked for most of the upcoming summer. Ideal investment or personal sanctuary!
$699,900 32314 SPRING COURT
Short drive to beach. New kitchen energy star appliances, granite counters & tile backsplash. Under-counter filtered water dispenser. LVP flooring main living areas. Sunken family room w/large bay window. Living/dining room combo w/bay window & patio slider. Large Primary BR corner fireplace. 2 full BA w/walk-in glass-doored showers, updated vanities & flooring + walk-in closet between. Sitting/TV room off Primary BR w/slider. 2 guest BRs share BA w/walk-in tub/shower. Enclosed breezeway for rec, office, or mud room leads to extra-deep 2-car garage. Covered car port. Driveway fits camper & 5+ cars. New HVAC unit, 2 water heaters (1 tankless) & ductless living room HVAC unit. Extensive hardscaping & landscaping, 2 sheds, concrete walkways, fenced area & front screened porch. Septic pumped & inspected. Wellwater tested. Low HOA $210/year. Schedule your tour today!!!
Don't miss out on this nicely upgraded home with huge family room. New paint, carpet, new luxury waterproof flooring, brand new HVAC, new kitchen, remodeled baths, new front & side garage doors, new shutters, exterior power washed. 2 sheds & extra-large concrete patio. House is just ready for your personal touches. Close to Bethany Beach, shopping, restaurants & all the areas great amenities!! Home has been virtually staged to show its endless possibilities!!
Spacious rancher with a garage on 3/4-acre lot backing to woods with newer roof, all new entry doors, windows, and some new waterproof plank flooring in the kitchen, bath, game room, and laundry. Nicely updated bath, hardwood floors in living room, hall, and all bedrooms. Seller has installed new attic vents, crawl space vents. Great location close to shopping and restaurants, and convenient to the beach and shore areas. Perfect one floor living in a quiet setting with NO HOA fees.
Awesome condo with great views of ocean from the front deck space. Spacious condo has been well-loved, enjoyed & maintained by current owners. Upgrades include new carpet, washer/dryer, king sized bed, queen memory foam Murphy bed, toilets, bathroom ceilings, wall HVAC unit in bedroom & fresh paint. Self-managed with low condo fees of only $150/month. Reserve study completed, building has many recent improvements including roof, painting & decks sealed. Make this your condo yours!
ing. Newly upgraded BA, luxury vinyl plank throughout. Smartly furnished in a coastal style & move-in ready! Park is open for April 1st until 2nd week of November. All prospective buyers need park approval.
OCEAN FRONT 2 BR, 2 BA CONDO
Unexpected costs can trip up first-time home buyers
First-time home buyers may not know what to expect upon buying a home, and some of those expenses may surprise them. With that in mind, the following are some expenses first-time buyers can expect once their offers are accepted.
Down payment: Conventional wisdom long suggested home buyers should submit a down payment of at least 20% of the purchase price.
But many home buyers now submit down payments considerably less than 20%, particularly in the modern real estate market, which is characterized by high prices and low inventory. The lower the down payment, the higher your monthly mortgage payment will be.
Primary mortgage insurance: Known in the business as “PMI,” buyers who cannot come up with a down payment of 20 percent or more will have to pay for primary mortgage insurance, which is typically a set fee that is incorporated into a monthly payment.
PMI fees are typically waived once the balance on the mortgage reaches 79 percent or less of the purchase price, though some lenders may waive PMI prior to that if the value of the home increases considerably before the loan balance reaches the predetermined marker.
Closing costs: The amount of closing
costs varies widely depending on a host of variables, but it's not uncommon for these costs to come in at somewhere between 2% - 5% of the loan principal. Closing costs must be paid no later than when the sale becomes official and buyers sign on the (many) dotted lines. Application and credit fees, title fees, underwriting fees, appraisal fees, and transfer tax are among the various fees that fall under the umbrella of closing costs.
Moving: There’s no getting around moving costs, which may depend on how much buyers already own and how far they're moving.
The home renovation experts at Angi estimate local moves cost between $883 and $2,568, while a long-distance moves may cost home buyers anywhere from $2,700 to $10,000 – or more!
Taken as a whole, these costs are some of the upfront fees aspiring homeowners can expect when buying a home. Longterm costs, including homeowners' insurance (which is separate from PMI), property taxes, homeowners' association fees, and maintenance are some additional expenses buyers can plan for as they try to determine their home buying budgets
Homeownership is often characterized as a fulfillment of a dream – indeed, many homeowners feel their ability to buy a home reflects their discipline and commitment to saving money.
Know your mortgage basics before getting a home loan
Buying a home is the most expensive purchase many people make in their lifetime. When the home buying process involves securing a mortgage, buyers can benefit from knowing a thing or two about mortgage interest rates.
Tons of economic factors affect mortgage interest rates, and conditions unique to each buyer also can affect the rate they're eligible to obtain. Understanding home loan rates can help potential buyers better navigate the complex process of buying a home.
What is mortgage interest?
When a person buys a home with a mortgage, they’re not just paying back the money borrowed, which is called the principal. The loan also requires paying interest, which is essentially the cost of borrowing money. Mortgage interest is calculated as a percentage of the remaining principal, says Investopedia.
How are mortgage rates set?
Mortgage rates are not determined by a single variable. They are derived from a combination of factors that includes the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, economic conditions and a borrower's personal financial situation.
The US Federal Reserve influences the overall rates by adjusting the Federal Funds Rate, or the rate at which banks lend to each other overnight. This not only impacts mortgage rates, but also addi-
tional interest rates, according to Fannie Mae. Lenders will ultimately decide on the specific rates to offer borrowers. How does a borrower's financial situation affect rates?
Lenders will conduct a thorough assessment of a potential borrower's creditworthiness. They will look at, among other things, a borrower's credit score and debt-to-income ratio. A higher credit score typically results in a lower interest rate.
A lower DTI indicates a lower risk to the lender, also potentially resulting in a lower interest rate. Squaring away finances well in advance of applying for a mortgage can help home buyers secure lower interest rates that could save them considerable sums of money over the life of their mortgages.
How do loan types affect mortgage interest?
With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate remains the same throughout the life of the loan, meaning the payment for principal and interest will remain consistent. Fixed rates tend to be lower when the term of the mortgage is shorter. An adjustable-rate mortgage will see the interest rate change during the repayment period. It may start with a low rate for the first several years but then can change depending on market indexes.
