Real Estate/Finance
Baltimore Sun, July 23, 2008
All throughout Baltimore City, about every neighborhood has experienced countless ups and downs – periods of massive residential expansion, followed by periods of decline and urban flight and then periods of renaissance and rebirth. The reasons for a turnaround can vary – sometimes it’s the result of a proactive neighborhood association, other times it’s the involvement and cooperation of religious and business leaders, while in some cases, it’s the result of a burgeoning commercial district that draws visitors from other parts of the City, who in turn discover the benefits of living in an up-and-coming area. In the case of Mondawmin, a diverse neighborhood located in northwest Baltimore, all of these factors have combined to contribute to the neighborhood’s rebirth and revitalization.
Baltimore Sun, October 27, 2006
As any credit union member can attest, there are myriad advantages of joining a credit union – low loan rates, personalized service and a competitive portfolio of products and services. However, one of the most important advantages, say members in regular surveys, is a certain level of trust; members trust that their credit union has their best interest in mind. With this in mind, it’s only natural that members would want to entrust their credit union with the assistance of planning complicated, serious issues such as long-term care insurance, which is becoming more and more important as Americans continue to live longer and longer. Luckily, some credit union members can obtain this valuable insurance right through their neighborhood credit union.
Baltimore Sun, February 2006
The real estate market in the Baltimore metropolitan area may have shown some signs of slowing down in recent months; however, considering how hot the market has been for years in the area, there is still a large demand for both sellers and buyers alike. And, if you’re looking for a new home, the choices are endless. Do you want a rowhouse situated in a historic neighborhood in Baltimore City, close to great restaurants, clubs, entertainment venues and cultural centers? Or, would you rather reside in the suburbs for a quieter lifestyle? Once you’ve narrowed your choices based on location, which neighborhoods are the up-and-coming ones that are creating the buzz around town?
Provident Bank, September 2005
In business, it’s necessary sometimes to make sacrifices on the road to success. Taking a local business to the national and international level sometimes requires that company leaders assume different roles and let go of some of the day-to-day operations. However, for one local business, the leaders have instead retained an active role in the business, even as the company continues to grow and become a major player in the furniture manufacturer sector.
Provident Bank, September 2005
Finding the right career path can be challenging. Many people go through high school and college with no idea what they want to do, switch majors and take a different route after graduation. However, for Vaughn Greene, his “calling” came early in life.
Provident Bank, September 2005
Getting your employees involved in community service – seems like an easy concept, right? Select a charity, encourage your employees to donate time or money or sponsor a philanthropic event. Easy enough. Not so, says Josh Levinson of Charm City Run, a run/walk specialty company. “It’s not easy to do community service, but if you can find a way to help the community and help your business at the same time, it’s a win-win,” he says passionately.
Baltimore Sun, November 2004
Anyone who watched television in the 1980s probably saw the CBS hit shot, Newhart, in which the show’s star, Bob Newhart, played an author who bought a Vermont inn with his wife. For eight years, the show focused on the eccentric townspeople and the varied guests that stayed at the charming inn. Running an inn on the show was never boring and always full of laughter, and while the show didn’t focus much on the hard work involved in running an inn, it inevitably inspired some viewers to follow the dream of running a B&B. So, what’s life like with continuous strangers in your home dropping in from all over the country or even all over the world?
Baltimore Sun, March 2004
Original woodwork. Victorian-era details. Pocket doors, hardwood floors, plaster moldings and operational transoms. Formal parlor and European-style kitchen. Sounds like a dream home, doesn’t it? So who cares if the basement is flooded, the roof is caving in and the floors are rotten, right?
Baltimore Sun, November 2003
“As you get older, proper planning is vital for asset protection and to plan for medical assistance eligibility. I always say that mature people put everything in writing,” says Bernard Pollock, an attorney who specializes in elder care law. This advice may sound easy and a commonsense approach; however, surprisingly, most Americans do not even have a simple will outlining where they want their assets to go upon death, and few have the foresight to incorporate long-term care into estate planning.
Baltimore Sun, October 2003
Ask people what comes to mind when they hear the term “HUD home,” and you’re likely to hear such responses as, “run down,” “bad neighborhoods,” “crack houses” and “no thanks.” However, subscribing to these misconceptions can result in missing an incredible opportunity to buy a great house at an even better price.