I agree with Representative Anthony Brown that widening I-270 and the Capital Beltway with toll lanes is an outdated solution to congestion. In the editorial “Hundreds rally to stop controversial highway widening project,” local officials and Montgomery County residents favor expanding transit to curb the horrific upper county traffic congestion. Highway expansion will guarantee more […]

On June 28, 2018, a man wielding a shotgun blasted his way into the offices of the Capital Gazette community newspaper in Annapolis. He murdered five staff members, including my brother-in-law, John McNamara. Not only did my young daughters lose a beloved uncle that day, but they must also now navigate a world where the […]

I’ve had the pleasure and the opportunity write this column for about 15 years.  My goal was to inform and enlighten you about housing and real estate issues.  And over the years, recurring themes emerged.  Some are dynamic, while others seem to be unchanging. Through my many columns I wrote about the dynamic nature of […]

Last week, Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera of the Maryland Court of Appeals called for the abolition of contested elections for Circuit Court judgeships in the State. As I say goodbye to this column, and the fine people at the Montgomery County Sentinel, I join in Judge Barbera’s call for a constitutional amendment to change […]

I have often been asked whether there is anything I will admit to as a positive of the Trump administration. Well, there is. The Trump administration has provided me with more issues and incidents to write about than I could ever have imagined. That is as close as I could get to find a Trump […]

With the dispute over the timeliness of commencement of the impeachment trial being much in the news, Maryland’s Court of Appeals last week issued an opinion in Anthony Marlin Tunnell v. State of Maryland regarding the timeliness of commencement of a criminal trial. Maryland, by statute and a 1979 case called Hicks v. State, has […]

When you’re selling a home, a consequential decision is your list price and pricing strategy.  Deciding on your price can be confusing because, sometimes, what you hear from the media is not exactly what your real estate agent is telling you.  Additionally, making matters worse is hearing disparate information from different real estate agents. For […]

Amelia Earhart’s last confirmed words were spoken at 8:43 a.m. on July 2, 1937. She said, “We are on the line 157-337 flying north and south.” Earlier she had spoken the fatal words, “We are on you but cannot see you.” She was in trouble, and she knew it. Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan […]

Appearances are often misleading. Your child comes home from school the day report cards are handed out, but he does not have one. You assume that he is hiding poor grades. You question him as to why he has no report card, and he tells you that he received straight A’s but that he did […]

It’s common knowledge that your home sale must have multiple high-quality photos.  If you don’t, then be prepared for a long disappointing sale.  Multiple high-quality pictures have not only become a home sale must, but it seems as if photos and tours have become the central feature of many real estate agents’ marketing plans.  Not […]

Under the famous Supreme Court Miranda case, persons who have been arrested must be advised of their rights, including the right to consult with an attorney and to have their lawyer present during police questioning.  Once a suspect requests an attorney, the extent to which the police may further interact with the suspect was explored […]

Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan famously asked America during a presidential debate with President Jimmy Carter in 1980, “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” Good question and a question that has since been posed in every subsequent presidential election and sure to be asked in the 2020 election. However, that is […]

I recently delivered a sad message to the staff and freelancers of The Sentinel Newspapers, indicating that our last edition will publish on Jan. 30 after serving Montgomery County for more than 160 years and Prince George’s County for 88 years. In that letter, I said that The Sentinel Newspapers have not been profitable for […]

Every year, it is a tradition to resolve to make some changes in our lives.  Rather than the same old and trite New Year’s resolutions, consider one of these three to help you this year. Selling a home this year? Your resolution is to not overpay real estate commissions.  2019 will be remembered as the […]

Maryland’s Court of Appeals some years ago decided that Comparative bullet lead analysis (CBLA) evidence was unreliable and inadmissible. Testimony about CBLA was based on comparison of lead in bullets which supposedly came from the same distinctive vat of lead, which was used to posit that bullets that struck a victim came from the defendant’s […]

Back in 2011, Donald J. Trump predicted that President Barack Obama would go to war with Iran as a means of retaining his presidency. It turns out Obama did not take that action; it turns out in 2020, Trump did. However, be assured that the assassination of Iran’s military leader, Qasem Soleimani, by a U.S. […]

On Dec. 18, I spent 12-straight hours in the House Press Gallery witnessing history as the House of Representatives adopted two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump. The House settled on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and, indeed, those two articles of impeachment are more than justified; both were adopted on […]

Can zoning be the answer to solving housing shortages and increasing affordability?  Many city planners and politicians think so.  Although many localities are still considering upzoning ordinances, some have already implemented upzoning amendments that allow increased resident density.  The immediate effect is likely to be felt by the addition of housing.  However, it’s unclear how […]

At this time of year, law enforcement is rightly concerned with enforcing laws against drinking and driving. Maryland law includes a requirement that a person arrested for driving or attempting to drive while intoxicated or impaired, after being given their rights, agree to submit to a breathalyzer test or face suspension of  driving privileges. Maryland’s […]

As we slowly down dive into the 2020 Presidential Election with the Commander In Chief spewing rhetoric of “fake news,” I think that the masses need to understand another phrase that was brought to prominence by the vetting of credentials in the 20th century and forward: A gatekeeper. With daily attacks on traditional media by […]

Amelia Earhart, probably the most famous woman in the world in her time, disappeared 82 years ago, on July 2, 1937. Amazingly, the search for her is still very active, has cost over $50 million to date, and involves some of the top minds and searchers on the planet. I am lucky to have played […]

For some, the holiday season is a time of enjoying family and friends.  For others, it’s a time of giving.  Regardless, many agree that it’s a time we wish each other joy and happiness.  Here’s some thoughts on keeping your holiday safe and enjoyable. Protect your home from fire.  According to the Consumer Product Safety […]

While the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants a criminal defendant facing possible imprisonment the right to have an attorney at trial, there are occasions when defendants still insist on representing themselves. That scenario raises challenges for the trial judge trying to conduct a proper trial, particularly in front of a jury. What happens […]

Enough already. Enough with the phony witch hunts and the steady stream of hoaxes on the American people. Enough! Get off our president’s back and let him do his job. It is a well-known fact that this president (Donald Trump) is directly responsible for lowering the unemployment rate to historic lows and the overall economy […]

The courts in presiding over trials in criminal cases are careful in determining whether to admit evidence of criminal conduct other than that for which the defendant is on trial. This includes evidence of conduct that suggests a consciousness of guilt for the charges at issue. The admissibility of such evidence was considered in an […]

Experts’ home sale inventory forecasts for the spring echo expectations from recent years. And in some regions, it could be a very competitive homebuyer market.  Affordability is likely to be a major issue according to CoreLogic’s chief economist Frank Nothaft (Peering into the Housing and Mortgage Outlook with 20/20 Vision; corelogic.com; Dec. 5, 2019).  The […]

Let’s begin with President Donald Trump’s claim that Article II of the Constitution grants him unlimited powers. It does not. How do we know it doesn’t? Merely reading the Constitution makes that point quite clear. Maybe the first law that needs to be enacted whenever Sen. Mitch McConnell is no longer, as he refers to […]

Each spring, we talk about cleaning our homes after cocooning during the winter months.  The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) publishes an annual survey that reveals how many of us actually do a “spring cleaning,” as well as cleaning priorities and outcomes.  However, beginning spring cleaning during the winter can make your spring a breeze. According […]

Under Maryland law, the Circuit Court for certain crimes has jurisdiction over criminal cases involving minors between the ages of 14 and 18. However, in such cases the defendant frequently requests what is known as a “reverse waiver” of the case to Juvenile Court where a child found involved in conduct that would constitute a […]

The one thing Republicans and Democrats have in common is that both parties attack Democrats, especially during presidential primary season. While the Democratic candidates for president bicker over which of their plans is the solution to providing universal health care coverage, whether it be Medicare for All or building on former President Barack Obama’s health […]

If you have been following the housing market, you know that housing experts have been declaring a home sale inventory shortage since 2013.  In National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Nov. 27 Pending Home Sales Index release, chief economist Lawrence Yun partly blamed October’s 1.7% decline to “inadequate levels of inventory across the country.”  He stated […]

It has become common in many jurisdictions, including Montgomery County, for the police to wear body cameras that show their actions and record audio. The Maryland Rules of Evidence have been amended to allow, under prescribed circumstances, audio from police body cameras to be admitted in evidence against a criminal defendant. How those rules work […]

After intensely following the riveting testimony before the House Intelligence Committee impeachment hearing from Nov. 13 to Nov. 21, it is an excellent time to provide some observations. The twelve witnesses included three requested by Republicans and nine by Democrats. What did all of the witnesses have in common? They all agreed on the same […]

No matter what items a homebuyer has on their wish list, they are typically constrained by the home price.  As a result, the buyer is often limited in their choices.  Accordingly, buyers prioritize home features and benefits when comparing homes. Nonetheless, homebuyers often have a choice between a new home or resale.  Besides the allure […]