I have spent my career making sure my clients are educated on all the complexities that arise during the purchase of a home. After my team of buyer agents find the perfect home for their clients, our work toward a successful settlement really begins. As a selling agent for over the last 12 years, I have prepared and taught my team the necessary steps to ensure a smooth home buying experience. Here are some basic guidelines to ensure a successful settlement.

Ten Steps To A Successful Settlement

1.) Get pre-approved by a reputable lender.

2.)Compare your housing desires with what you can afford to begin the process of locating a home that meets your needs and means.

3.)Consider the state of the market your shopping in and decide when the right time to buy is.

4.) Once you have identified the best property to buy and you are ready to move forward with the bid/contract process, ask your experienced buyer specialist to walk you through your responsibilities and your potential need for expert tax & legal advice.

5.)Contact your lender immediately after the contract is fully executed. A reasonable commitment date is 30 days from contract acceptance.

6.) Be sure to follow-up with your lender to make sure they are providing all necessary paperwork required to render a final loan. Ascertain that an appraisal has been ordered and the date scheduled.

7.)Check with your real estate agent to make sure they are providing the appraiser current comps to validate the price of the property.

8.) A good real estate agent will communicate with your lender every couple of days to ensure all elements of the loan process are in order and proceeding in accordance with the contract commitment date.

9.) After receiving formal loan commitment, coordinate with the lender or real estate agent to make certain any and all underwriting conditions have been satisfied and nothing further is needed from you.

10.) When you receive final loan commitment from your lender, select your title company and schedule the settlement date.  Remember that you must have a home owner’s insurance policy prior to settlement. 

Today, I reflect on a wonderful winter that I’ve had here at Deep Creek Lake and all the wonderful adventures that came my way. I finally put down my old-school 10-year old parallel skis and stepped into a set of modern shape skis and had a go on perfect powder at Wisp Resort. I can’t believe that I went this long without experiencing the amazing engineering and control that this has brought to my skiing.  As always, Devils Drop is my go-to slope when I want to carve through the trees and experience that “out west” feeling that Wisp can give you in certain areas of the mountain.

I have also had a lot of “first time” experiences this winter which has me buzzing more than my norm with excitement over other winter activities.  Since I was a very young girl, I have always loved ice skating and thankfully I had the opportunity to put the skates on again at Wisp’s Ice Rink this winter.  I felt exhilarated gliding across the ice with a bonfire roaring along the outside of the ice rink and dozens of people sharing the experience.  

Make no mistake about it; my absolute new favorite sport is snowmobiling!  For years I have heard from my local friends how they routinely drive their “sleds” across the lake; the safety net in my mind always spoke to me when I would hear this wondering “if these folks were a little short of common sense?!”  The old question, “Why would you jump out of a perfectly good plane?” comes to mind as I contemplate driving over frozen Deep Creek Lake waters.  I mean, there are plenty of trails around the county on perfectly solid ground that would serve as a safer outlet for me and this sport.  The fact is that the lake is impeccably safe after it gets 6+ inches of ice buildup and it’s strong as solid ground when it gets 15+ inches, as it was when I when crossed it for the first time.  I’ll never forget the rush of just casting aside my fears and hitting the throttle wide open launching straight across the center of the lake.  The change in perspective in viewing the lake in the winter from the middle looking inward while racing at 100mph is something you have to experience to understand.  It’s cool because you can cover 60-70 miles around the lake in a very small amount of time and the sights you see are some that many life-long residents have never and will never see.  I urge you to put it on your list of things to experience here in Garrett County.

I feel fortunate every morning I wake up and relish every experience that is available throughout all the wonderful seasons we are blessed with here.

A Little Deep Creek Lake Garrett County History

Long before Deep Creek Lake came into existence it had plenty of history pre-dating the area as we know it now.  Native American artifacts uncover that many tribes like the Cherokee, Delaware (Lanape), and Shawnee have extensive history here in Western Maryland.  The Mingo Tribe were indigenous people to the area who annually returned to mountaintops to hunt, fish, plant crops, and trade.  There is evidence left from floods through the Potomac River Valley that indicate that some villages have been in existence for over 2000 years.

The first known permanent resident /settler of the Garrett County area was John Friend Sr., who came from the Colony of Virginia with his brother Andrew and son Gabriel in 1762.  Eventually they ended up at an Indian village along the Youghiogheny River, which now bears the family name, Friendsville.

In 1872, they divided Allegheny County and formed Garrett County, which was the last County to be formed in Maryland.  The county was named after railroad executive, industrialist, and financier John Work Garrett who served as president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from 1858-1884.  An interesting fact to note is that the Maryland-Pennsylvania line was surveyed and marked by astronomer Charles Mason and surveyor Jeremiah Dixon.  This famous dividing point became known as the Mason Dixon Line, which symbolized the cultural boundary between the Northern and Southern United States, Garrett County representing the South.

In 1806, President Thomas Jefferson signed a bill from the United States Congress setting aside money for building the National Railroad.  This was to be the first federally constructed highway in the nation stretching from Cumberland, Maryland to Wheeling, West Virginia.  As Americans, we all are very fortunate to live in the greatest country in the world that possesses abundant history and keeps us grounded on where we have been and where we are going in life.

The Spring Thaw, Deep Creek Lake

Last week, Deep Creek Lake and the rest of the East Coast saw a huge spike in temperatures which put an end to the activities on our frozen lake. For the moment, the ice fishermen have cleaned up their gear and are reflecting on the wonderful moments that were had during this stellar winter season on the ice. The snowmobiles are all cleaned up and are being stored in their trailers or garages. This year’s weeklong surge in temperatures really accelerated the major spring thaw that by Friday 2/19/11 had the rivers and streams flexing with power that is hard to comprehend. My husband and I were at Swallow Falls State Park witnessing this quantum power when believe it or not a kayaker came barreling through the falls at mach speed. Unfortunately, we did not get a photo of this exciting experience as it happened so fast. The spring thaw is a really a fun event to witness when you are here at DCL. Don’t fret if you missed the start of it last week. The water has already cleaned up, and there are some spectacular sites to be witnessed over the next couple of months as we ease into spring. Take a moment to witness the relaxing sites and sounds of the water and streams here at Deep Creek Lake.

Snowmobile Drag Races Deep Creek Lake

Let’s get ready to RUMBLE! Leave the boxing gloves at home this weekend, fuel up your snowmobile and head on down to the big drag races this Saturday February 12^th, 2011.  This weekend the crowd will be at Harvey’s Farm, 2482 Sandflat Road watching the bold and brave flex their ego’s and horsepower at this classic Garrett County event.  I am bursting with excitement because this is my first sled drag race other than racing my husband Bob for bragging rights on the lake.  I’m still on the fence whether I will suit up and represent the ladies in this all day event.  Watching my new husband race may be about all the excitement I can stand in one day, personally.  I can’t wait to watch the thunder in all the different classes which go from Stock, Super Stock, and Pro Modified.  Word is that the big dogs are bringing in their super hot rods that will be thrilling to watch as they can reach some rally insane speeds.  Bring your family, and tell your friends about this supercharged winter event.

Four Season Deep Creek Lake

Imagine with me for a minute a beautiful lake nuzzled into majestic mountain ranges that boasts four spectacular seasons with literally hundreds of different activities  to quench your thirst for living.  Close your eyes and spin an imaginary wheel with the four seasons on it, and wherever it lands you will be rewarded with a special time to visit us here at the lake.  Deep Creek Lake is truly an amazing four season area to come explore with your family and friends.  It will not take long for Garrett County to feel like home as you experience year-after-year perfect mountain conditions, one season at a time.

Winter time here at the “Little Tahoe of the East” can be more fun and excitement than you can take.  There is plenty of snow to provide a picturesque background to many winter activities.  I suggest after getting your fill of skiing or snowboarding that you go take a hike in one of Garrett County’s 7 State Parks. Swallow Falls State Park is my personal favorite in the wintertime because of the partially frozen falls that are covered with hundreds of little icicles.  Bring a camera and some snowshoes after a big snow and be prepared to enter a winter wonderland.

As spring starts to slowly melt the snow, again the waterfalls and Youghiogheny River swell dramatically and you will witness some of the most spectacular waterfalls the East Coast has to offer at Swallow Falls State Park.  Listen to the sound of water flowing that rivals that of thunder and feel the freight train power of the Yough exploding all around you.  Spring is also a good time to get your boat tuned up and head to the lake to begin capitalizing on some productive fishing.

As summer arrives, you are in the heart of my favorite time of the year here.  Enjoy low humidity, warm air and lake temperatures, and a zillion things to do.  Every day here during the summer season is sacred to me and I count my blessings every car ride to work.  Summers here possess a positive, beautiful aura for being alive.  Activities?  Hmmm…it would take days to list all the things I enjoy doing here during the summer.  For a start, go on a hike, go Kayaking, go wakeboarding, go fishing, those are the obvious.  Go chase every day with the eyes of an explorer and you’ll be amazed at what you uncover.

Fall here brings people from all over the East Coast to enjoy the stunning fall foliage as the trees prepare to shed their leaving and turn into the most amazing kaleidoscope of colors.  Find a spot on Wisp Mountain that has mountain views and you’ll be in awe of colorful mountainscapes.  It is also a prime time to go fishing on the lake and in the rivers so don’t forget your fishing gear.

Come visit the only home I’ve ever known and see the brilliance of all four seasons.

Deep Creek Lake Bear Safety Facts

Although we are experiencing another wonderful snow-filled winter in Deep Creek Lake, it will not be long before spring is here and our friend the ‘Black Bear’ is coming out of hibernation!  I thought it would be a good idea to talk about some bear safety and do’s and don’ts from what I have read, and from personal experience living here on Wisp Mountain.

Hiking or Camping: First of all, most attacks are mother bears defending their cubs. I know that baby bear cubs are very cute, but if you see a cub you need to distance yourself calmly and immediately because the mother cub is always close by. Mother bears are very defensive of their cubs so be respectful of their family; do not underestimate the mother’s fury.  The old saying, “you attract what you fear”, comes to play when dealing with any wild animal. Remain calm! Slowly back away from  a bear confrontation until the bear ignores you. At your campsite, bang pots and pans & yell and clap loudly to try to keep the bear moving away from you. Wave your hands as high as possible to appear larger.  Never turn your back on a bear and never run. Running attracts any animal to pursue you.  Always cook and store your food at least 100 feet from your camp.  Store your food in Tupperware and keep it in a tree 30 feet off the ground and 15 feet from the tree trunk.  Remember, bears are very agile tree climbers.  My husband and I witnessed a mother and cub grazing through our front yard a few summers back and the playful cub climbed every other 60 foot tree in seconds. The mother occasionally will do the same.  It’s hard to comprehend the lightning speed that the bears possess.

Vacationers at Deep Creek Lake-  The Department of Natural Resources were called in to help us a few summers back to deal with a bear problem in our neighborhood.  Reason being….food in trash cans.  People have to understand the importance of keeping trash cans away in their garages or securing them tightly in outside containers.  Bears can be huge scavengers if there is a steady food source.  Too many mornings going to work or driving around the lake I see trash heaped up improperly outside and you can bet you will find trash littered from dozens of homes all the way up and down the roads of DCL when this happens.  First of all, it becomes a huge littering problem for the lake but more importantly it could put your family and children in harms way. Also, some locals think it’s nice to set out food so they can witness the bears eating it. It’s never a good idea to feed the bears; they will become reliant on humans to supply their food source and it quickly becomes habit-forming, creating bear problems within our neighborhood. Lets all be respectful of the bear’s natural habitat and the safety of local and out-of-state residents.  Deep Creek Lake is a very special place where we are lucky to interact with a massive amount of wildlife so let’s take a few precautions to respect and enjoy the bears presence in our lives.

Deep Creek Lake WVU Fans

September 4, 2010 and we get out first cool fall-like morning, waking up to 50 degree temperatures and the start of college football season.  There are a lot of West Virginia University fans here at Deep Creek Lake and I’m pretty confident that I’m at the top of the list of passionate football fans.

I started going to the WVU games when I was 4 years old and haven’t missed a season in 27 seasons. My sweet grandmother would stitch me really cute Mountaineer cheerleading outfits and I would chant as loud as I could cheering on my team.

I have many exciting football-based memories with my friends and family. We traditionally show up 3-4 hours before the game and get our tailgating groove on with a huge clan of WVU fans. Morgantown is a hardcore football town that shows immense pride in their beloved team.

As I pack up the car this morning with my tailgating gear my stomach already stirs with excitement in anticipation of hearing the Mountaineer Marching Band blasting out Mylan Puskar stadium, and the Mountain man mascot firing a shot out of his period rifle leading the team on the field! LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!!

5^th Annual Deep Creek Chili Splash

Wisp Resort will be holding their infamous CHILI COOK-OFF this Saturday August 7^th from Noon-5:30 pm. Come taste many different interpretations of this famous San Antonio dish dating back to 1731…yes, that’s right…Texas that is!  I have researched it and there is a misconception that chili is a Mexican dish. The history books will steer you to San Antonio, Texas where early Spanish settlers by order of King Phillips V arrived from the Spanish Canary Islands and made a spicy “Spanish” stew that later became what we now know as chili.

The key ingredient to this world re-known “stew” is hot peppers and in some cases, a lot of them! Some chili enthusiasts pride themselves in preparing a chili that is nuclear hot with the hot pepper being the star. Other cooks like to layer the smokey flavors of cumin, chili powder, onion, beef, and kidney beans, with a hint of spice from the hot pepper. I believe the key to a great chili is a delicious flavor base, and for me that is a bottle of Newcastle beer.  I also like to combine ground beef, ground pork, and ground turkey with the other “regular” ingredients.  If you think you can take the heat, then bring your brave taste pallet over to the hot pepper eating contest.  Size up your hot pepper eating skills against other fire bellies.

 General admission is $5 for adults, $3 Children (7-12yrs), 6 and under is free, which includes entrance to the event, Music, Children’s events and 5 tasting kits.

Cooks may contact John McCracken at 301.387.4911  ext. 2211
or email jmccracken@wispresort.com for information.

Here is a schedule of events
11 am Lighting of the Stoves
12 pm Gates Open
1 pm Mr. Hot Sauce & Ms. Chili Pepper
1:30 pm Salsa Turn In
2 pm Splash Contest
2:30 pm Chili Verde Turn In
3 pm Pepper Eating Contest
3:30 pm Red Chili Turn In
4 pm Wet T-Shirt Contest
5:30 pm Awards