A Week In Business – September 9, 2016

Biz ATaylor Bank and the Chambers of Commerce from Berlin, Ocean Pines and Ocean City held a ribbon cutting and reception Aug. 25 for its newest branch at 11359 Samuel Bowen Blvd, Ocean Landing, across from Home Depot in Berlin. Helping with the ribbon cutting, from left along the ribbon, were Berlin Mayor Gee Williams, Worcester County Commissioner Diana Purnell, Berlin Council member Lisa Hall, Taylor Bank Board of Director Hale Harrison, Bank Manager Lori Simon, Executive Vice President Peggy Welsh, Worcester County Commissioner Bud Church, Maryland State Delegate Mary Beth Carozza, and Taylor Bank Design  & Equipment Manager Herb Wilson. Taylor Bank President Ray Thompson is standing in back between Simon and Welsh. Photo by Ted Page

Inventory Continues To Fall In Real Estate

BERLIN – For the fifth month in a row, inventory numbers decreased on the Lower Eastern Shore, according to the latest figures from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR).

A recap of the local housing market for August is shown. Photo by CAR

A recap of the local housing market for August is shown. Photo by CAR

August 2016 showed an overall five percent decrease in new inventory in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, compared to the same time last year. Individually, single family home listings were down by 1.9 percent in Worcester County, by 7.8 percent in Wicomico County, and by 3.2 percent in Somerset County. Wicomico County saw a 21.3-percent increase in new condominium listings, while Worcester County saw the same number of condominium listings as the year before. Somerset County’s condominium listings decreased by a whopping 91.7 percent.

New contracts, or pending sales, were up overall in the Tri-County area by 19.4 percent, compared to the same time last year. New single family home contracts were up by 18.1 percent in Worcester County, by 27.9 percent in Wicomico County, and by 31.3 percent in Somerset County.

New settlements were down slightly, by four percent. Average days on market decreased by 13.2 percent and listing and settlement prices increased by 26 percent and 25.9 percent, respectively.

“We don’t generally anticipate a lot of settlements in late summer because everyone is either on vacation or getting ready to go back to school,” said CAR President Linda Moran. “But as we draw closer and closer to increased mortgage interest rates, we believe we’ll see more deals hit the settlement table.”

Last month, the Maryland Association of REALTORS® (MAR) also reported decreased inventory and settlement numbers, citing the general public’s focus on vacations.

“We will see more listing and sales in the fall, which will result in a lot more activity for both sellers and buyers,” said MAR President Bonnie Casper. “We expect a vibrant autumn market.”

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) are also reporting similar trends.

“Amidst tight inventory conditions that have lingered the entire summer, contract activity last month was able to pick up at least modestly in a majority of areas,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “More home shoppers having success is good news for the housing market heading into the fall, but buyers still have few choices and little time before deciding to make an offer on a home available for sale. There’s little doubt there’d be more sales activity right now if there were more affordable listings on the market.”

CAR’s monthly local housing statistics are pulled from the association’s Multiple Listing Service, which represents the activity of over 1,000 local REALTORS® in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.

Managers Appointed

SALISBURY — Coastal Hospice has announced the appointment of two long-time employees as managers of spiritual care and bereavement support services at the non-profit agency that serves Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.

Sharon Hutchison

Sharon Hutchison

Coastal Hospice offers spiritual care as a regular part of their hospice services. The non-denominational spiritual caregivers assist patients and their families in coping with the emotional stress associated with life-limiting illnesses.

Coastal Hospice offers bereavement support to anyone in the community who has lost someone close to them, whether or not Coastal Hospice cared for their loved one. The support can be individual or in support groups and is offered throughout the four Lower Shore counties Coastal Hospice serves.

Howard Travers

Howard Travers

Sharon Hutchison is now manager of spiritual care for Coastal Hospice. Hutchison and her husband located to Salisbury in 1999 to become pastors of the Community of Joy Church, where they currently serve. Hutchison joined Coastal Hospice in 2004 after she developed an interest in hospice through working with her congregation.

Howard Travers is now manager of bereavement support for Coastal Hospice. A native of Salisbury, he received his ministry ordination in 1982, a BS in Practical Theology and Church Leadership in 1989 from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fl., and Master of Theology and Master of Divinity degrees from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. He has been with Coastal Hospice for 22 years.

Distinction Earned

SALISBURY — The distinction of CISR Elite has been conferred upon Michelle Smith, commercial lines account manager at Avery Hall Insurance in Salisbury, after her successful completion of all nine, classroom or online courses covering all areas of insurance risks and exposures, followed by extensive examinations.

The Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) Program, available to insurance professionals around the world, is distinguished from other programs of its kind by an annual continuing education requirement, which ensures that designees stay current on the important policy changes and trends within the industry.  Five successful courses are required to achieve the CISR designation; passing all nine exalts one’s status to CISR Elite.

AGH Scores Most Wired Nod

BERLIN Atlantic General Hospital is among just six percent of hospitals nationwide to receive the 2016 Most Wired Hospital distinction, bestowed by the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Health Forum.

The awards are based on the results of the annual HealthCare’s Most Wired® survey and benchmarking study. The survey examines how organizations are using information technology (IT) to improve healthcare delivery in the areas of quality and safety, clinical integration, infrastructure and business management.

“The Most Wired award is a reflection of the organization as a whole, not IT specifically,” said Andrew Fowler, vice president of information services and CIO of Atlantic General Hospital. “Atlantic General has had the foresight to put some very innovative programs in place. Health IT has been there to help those programs operate more efficiently to provide the best care possible for our patients.”

“Hospitals are breaking out of their traditional four walls and providing care where and when patients need it,” said Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the AHA. “These Most Wired hospitals exemplify this transformation by harnessing technology, engaging patients and offering services remotely. And, removing policy and other barriers to telehealth will allow even faster adoption of these amazing technologies.”

 

Builder Contributes To National Effort

SMYRNA — Atlantis Homes LLC. announced participation in a contribution to the Hope For The Warriors®, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for post-9/11 active duty, National Guard and reserve service members and veterans from all branches of the military. Their programs also serve military families, families of the fallen and military caregivers.  Clayton home building group and its large network of independent retail partners have been proud to support the work of Hope For The Warriors® over the past year.

“As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, it’s humbling to see the incredible work Clayton is doing for our mission,” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and president of Hope For The Warriors®, in the statement. “Their support will allow us to serve hundreds in need. We look forward to utilizing these funds to empower veterans, service members and military families in our communities.”

A check presentation was held in Bristol, Tenn., at the Bristol Motor Speedway during the NASCAR® Sprint Cup race weekend, where a representative from the Hope For The Warriors® organization, Travis Hanson, was on hand to accept the year-to-date contribution from Clayton Home Building Group Vice President of Product Development Alan Neely in the amount of $155,000.

“We continue to be thankful to provide support to Hope for the Warriors, an organization truly committed to helping American veterans and their families,” said Alan Neely, vice president of product development for Clayton Home Building Group, in the statement. “A core value for Clayton is to treat people right and do the right thing, and this opportunity to help such a wonderful organization strengthens that cause.”

New Dealership Opens

LEWES, Del. – i.g. Burton Fiat is now open in Milford. The Fiat brand joins their Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram Truck showroom and adds another element to the i.g. Burton & Co., Inc. lineup.

“Fiat is a unique vehicle, and a very good one,” said Charlie Burton, president and owner of i.g. Burton. “Italian styling and affordability set these cars apart from everything else in the market. For the person who wants to drive something fun and different, Fiat offers cars that provide really great value compared to all of the other makers. There’s nothing like them.”

i.g. Burton Fiat is the only Fiat dealership on Delmarva and the second new store to be opened by i.g. Burton in the past month.