Real Estate
THE COASTAL REAL ESTATE RESOURCE Coastal Association of Realtors/OC Today-Dispatch
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
Executive Editor................................................................ Steve Green
Account Managers....................... Mary Cooper, Renée Kelly, Terri French
Classifieds/Legals ........................................................ Pamela Green
Art Director....................................................................... Cole Gibson
Senior Page Designer....................................................... Susan Parks
Senior Ad Designer............................................................ Kelly Brown
Publisher..................................................................... Christine Brown
Administrative Asistant.......................................................... Gini Tufts
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
Stunning masonry waterfront home located on sought-after Point Lookout Road. Breathtaking views & direct access to Assawoman Bay, complete with boat lift, jet ski lift & updated bulkheading for your watercraft. Well-constructed, beautifully maintained home sold fully furnished & move-in ready. Whether you're relaxing indoors or entertaining outdoors, you'll love the bright coastal decor & thoughtful layout. Perfectly situated close to Ocean City's famous beach, popular
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In-Law Suite Can Increase Your Home Value
As more homeowners and aspiring buyers seek to reduce housing costs by embracing multigenerational living arrangements, in-law suites could be an in-demand feature.
The modern real estate market has led millions of aspiring home buyers to reconsider their approach to buying a home. Low inventory has led to high home prices. When paired with mortgage interest rates that have remained north of 6 percent for years, the high sticker price of homes has made many buyers wonder if homeownership is simply beyond their means.
It's impossible to know if or when home prices will come down, but some buyers have chosen to seek homes that can accommodate multiple generations. According to the Pew Research Center, the share of multigenerational homes rose from 7 percent in 1971 to 18 percent in 2021.
A multitude of factors have contributed to that increase, and housing affordability is one such variable. In 2024, researchers studying multigenerational households at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania noted that housing affordability declined considerably in recent years but also had been on the decline for decades.
As homes become less affordable, the number of multigenerational households tends to increase, and that's something modern buyers can keep in mind as they look for a home.
In-law suites that accommodate multigenerational households can provide a pathway to homeownership for buyers who otherwise may be priced out of the market. Buyers considering homes with an in-law suite or those who want to add one to their existing homes can familiarize themselves
with these convenient and potentially cost-saving features.
- Note the significance of a separate entrance. Whether you're looking for a home with an in-law suite or hoping to add one on to your existing home, a separate entrance for suite residents can allow them to come and go as they please. That sense of independence is significant.
In addition, a separate entrance can make a home seem less like a multigenerational residence, which at times can feel crowded, and more like a single-generation home. That can afford all residents a little more peace and quiet in a typical day.
Expect an increase in taxes if you're adding on. As with any addition to a home, adding an in-law suite to an existing home is likely to result in an increase in homeowners' property taxes. The amount of that increase is contingent upon variables unique to each residence, like location and the size of the addition.
When shopping for homes with existing in-law suites, buyers can request existing tax information so they are not surprised by the number like they might be if they add on to an existing home. Despite that, it might still be in prospective buyers' best interest to add on to an existing property and pay the additional taxes than it would to buy a new home.
- Try to include features residents have come to expect when living independently. An in-law suite should include its own private bathroom, a washroom for a washer and dryer and a kitchen or kitchenette.
If everyone in a multigenerational household is forced to use the same bathrooms, washers and
dryers, and kitchens, then the home might begin to feel cramped rather quickly.
- Try to secure off-street parking. Though it might not affect the ambiance within the in-law suite itself, an off-street parking spot is a convenience residents will appreciate. Such a space will allow residents to come and go as they please and save them the headache of moving their vehicles for snowplows and street cleaners.
A separate bathroom with a stand-up shower and a lower sink and countertop are not uncommon for an in-law suite, which sometimes is built to accomodate a resident senior citizen.
Know Your Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights
palities may extend additional protections, the rights outlined in the statewide bill apply to all residential tenants in Maryland.
Rental Applications
A new law in Maryland requires landlords across the state to provide tenants with a standardized Tenants’ Bill of Rights, beginning July 1. The Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs must publish and update the document each year by June 1, and landlords are required to attach the latest version to every residential lease.
While some counties and munici-
Under the law, landlords who rent five or more units cannot charge more than $25 in application fees, not including a security deposit.
They may also accept a tenant screening report prepared within the past 30 days by a consumer reporting agency. If a landlord accepts such a report, they cannot impose an application fee.
Leases and Tenancies
Landlords renting five or more units must provide tenants with a written lease. If they fail to do so, the law presumes a one-year tenancy beginning from the tenant’s first use of the unit.
Written leases must include: the condition of the property, responsibility for utilities and repairs, a receipt for the security deposit, a copy of the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights, and contact information for the landlord or their authorized agent
Landlords renting four or fewer units are not required to use written
leases, though local rules may impose stricter requirements.
Certain provisions are prohibited in leases, including: clauses that allow a landlord to “confess judgment” in a dispute, waivers of tenant legal rights or jury trial rights, shortened notice periods required by law, and any other provisions barred by state statute
Automatic lease renewal clauses must be separate from other terms and must be acknowledged by the tenant.
RARELY 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!
and the HVAC,
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and
LUXURY COASTAL TOWNHOME with OVERSIZED BOAT SLIP & LIFT
13000 MARINA VIEW LANE UNIT 27 INLET ISLE • WEST OCEAN CITY
New law codifies notice for tenant
Continued from Page 5
Terminating a Tenancy
Landlords must give tenants 60 days’ notice to end a written leases, for both month-to-month and fixedterm leases. If a lease is written as year-to-year, notice extends to 90 days. Tenants on a fixed-term or month-to-month leases by law must give 30 days’ notice, or 90 days if a lease is annual.
Move-in ready beautifully furnished 3,069 SF townhome with elevator & inlet & marina views. Latest upgrades & finishes throughout including plantation shutters. 1st level 1st family room w/gas fireplace - could be game room, office or 4th BR. 1st level Full BA, custom shower & laundry room. 1st level deck to pier & boat slip. 2nd floor luxurious primary BR suite w/2 walk-in closets, overlooks water, has en suite BA heated floors, steam shower & soaking tub. Another 2nd level BR has en suite BA w/shower. 3rd level has 2nd family room w/gas fireplace, wet bar, dining area, upgraded kitchen granite countertops, SS appliances, wine refrigerator & breakfast bar. 3rd floor BR full bath w/shower & walk-in closet. Stunning views from 2nd & 3rd floor decks & crow's nest. Close to inlet, restaurants, shopping, water sports & beach & Boardwalk. Boat slip & lift accommodates 38’ boat w/25,000 lbs. weight capacity.
$1,450,000
Exceptions apply for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Tenants with a protective order or peace order have 30 days to vacate after giving notice and are only responsible for rent up to the move-out date. If they leave in fewer than 30 days, they must submit a signed, notarized statement to the landlord.
If neither tenant nor landlord provides notice, leases may automatically renew or convert to month-to-month arrangements, depending on the lease terms. Less common agreements, such as farm tenancies, carry different notice rules.
The Tenants’ Bill of Rights is intended as a general summary and does not represent a full list of tenant protections under Maryland law. Tenants are encouraged to consult the Maryland Code or seek legal advice for case-specific concerns.
Provide a Comprehensive Report Detailing Reserve Funding Recommendations to Help Your Condominium, Homeowners Association and/or Marina Make Informed Decisions & Obtain Financial Insights To Protect Your Valuable Assets.
Reserve Studies of Delmarva is led by Eugene Jubber, a certified Reserve Specialist through CAI (Community Association Institute) with a PCAM Designation (Professional Community Association Manager). His goal is to reduce unnecessary and/or unforeseen special assessments. In his 25-plus years' experience, Eugene knows what is important for his clients. Contact Eugene to discuss the Level of Reserve Study that is most appropriate for the goals of your community.
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Home tucked away in an amenity-rich community surrounded by mature trees & backs d!Okihihhdfl
up to a pond! Open kitchen with heated floors flows to living area with gas fireplace. Remote office space or study nook. 2 primary suites, both with ensuite BAs-1 one each floorr. Both floors have 2 full BAs. 2nd floor has 2 extra BRs plus a versatile bonus room. 2 HVVAAC systems, treated windows & tankless water heater designed for efficiency & comfort. Close to pools, yacht club, parks & more! $574,900
Shopping Local Can Benefit Your Health and Your Wallet
The economic impact of shopping local is plain to see, as many local business owners and employees live in the communities where their companies operate. But there are additional and perhaps less obvious benefits to buying close to home as well.
Though estimates vary and are always open to fluctuation, a recent survey from American Express and the National Federation of Independent Business indicated roughly 67 cents out of every dollar spent at a small business remains in the community.
Health: Shopping local also can have a positive impact on consumers' overall health. The CDC reports many benefits to social connection, including increased feelings of belonging and being loved and even resistance to illness and disease.
When shopping at locally owned small businesses, residents typically interact with owners and staff in ways that are far less common than when shopping at chain stores. Those interactions help foster relationships between business owners, employees and customers, and that can benefit shoppers in many of the ways noted by the CDC.
Patronizing locally owned small businesses has a well-documented positive impact on local economies. A closer look at shopping local reveals there are many lesser known but no less significant ad-
vantages to supporting small businesses in one's community.
Walkability: Community residents hoping to keep their dollars in their own towns may not need to drive to do so. For example, residents may live within walking distance of local restaurants.
A casual stroll to dinner out on the town can make for a more relaxing evening. But that's not the only way walkability pays dividends. A 2023 survey from the National Association of Realtors® found 78% of potential home buyers would pay up for a home in a walkable community rather than get stuck driving to shops and restaurants.
By shopping local and supporting businesses within walking distance of their homes, homeowners can help to maintain their local economies and even drive up the value of local real estate.
Time: Another notable but easily overlooked benefit to shopping local is the time savings. Businesses located within one's community are likely a short walk or drive away from home, whereas getting to large chains may require significant travel. Residents can use the time they save by shopping local however they see fit, and that's a particularly notable benefit in a modern world where balancing personal and professional responsibilities is as difficult as ever.
Coastal Association Affiliate Members
