All Forum Posts by: John H.

@Mike Bonadies  I see potential in Brunswick being that you're within walking distance to the train that takes you straight into DC.  There's also the C/O Canal and the unique downtown setting.  The thing that strikes me as odd though is all of the empty store fronts or the businesses there that don't seem to last very long.  You would think with the new developments popping up at Brunswick Crossing it would spur some sort of revitalized interest in the downtown area.  People there have money to spend.  You're also right on the border with Loudoun county - one of the wealthiest counties in the state.  

Agree with @Andrew Michael, Frederick is probably the safer and somewhat more stable bet but I do see potential there if the city government steps in and helps kick start the downtown revitalization effort.

btw - if you haven't been you have to check out Beans in the Belfry.  

I'm having a tough time getting rental comps for the area but from what I can see based on what has been available in the last few months it seems that rent is on the lower side in the downtown area.  Have been starting to realize rehab/rent may not be the way to go out there.  I do see potential for flipping though.

Agreed @Malcolm Lawson.  Just finishing up an addition on my house that I mostly started out doing myself and with family/friends.  Towards the end I started to see the value in hiring additional help to speed things up and move things along.  There just aren't enough hours in the day when you have a full-time job and family.  I know "time is money" doesn't really apply to a personal project but out there doing it semi-professionally there's no doubt about it.   

Yeah I'm aware of the borders.  On my to-do list is visiting building and development in town and talking with some of their staff regarding procedures etc.  I found their historic district guideline that was last updated in 2009.  Seems most if not all restrictions apply to the exterior only.  

Thanks @Eric Thomson and @Julia Dugger

So why are there still properties for sale on HomePath's website and several scattered about on the mls?  Are they still trying to offload HomePath properties from back when they were in use?

Anybody have any experience with them?  BP doesn't seem to discuss those types of loans - or I'm just looking in the wrong places. 

I guess my questions are these:

1. How do I go about getting financing for HomePath properties? 

2. Did Fannie Mae discontinue the program?  Not much info on google - some hits show up as Fannie Mae discontinuing the program but they still have a website with listings of available HomePath properties.  

Hello BP community!  

Quick intro - currently working in the IT field for the Government in DC.  As an accidental landlord for the last few years and just finishing up a major addition to my home I've began to realize that I may have found a new calling.  

I'm looking to purchase a rental property in Maryland next, preferably in the downtown Frederick area.  With the budget I have and the passion and skills for carpentry I'm looking for fixer uppers or rehab properties primarily but of course am always keeping options open.    

Some unusual circumstances has put some pressure on me to buy property in Maryland within the next year.  So I'm looking for an agent who is familiar with the area and has some real estate investing background. 

As a somewhat newbie I've got quite a few questions but I will keep this as an intro thread.  Looking forward to talking and working with you guys!