Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales Blog

Hero’s Day at Wisp Resort

Wisp Resort at Deep Creek Lake in McHenry, Maryland will host “Hero’s Day” on January 4, 2019. This is an annual event held on the first Friday of the new year at this premier Western Maryland winter resort.

This special day provides discounts and complimentary tickets to military and first responders including police officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical service personnel. “Hero’s” will receive a complimentary 1-day extended day lift ticket. In addition, immediate family members of ‘Hero’ are eligible for a $14 1-day extended day lift ticket valid for Friday, January 4. Wisp Resort will also offer $19 sport ski or snowboard rental. Enjoy half price group lessons and “buy on get one” Mountain Park products valid!

This is just one event that the Wisp offers for military and service personnel. The resort also participates in the annual “Military March” promotion through the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, Wisp offered active and veteran military up to 25% on lift tickets, rentals, lessons, snow tubing, mountain coaster and ice skating during the month of March. We look forward to sharing their 2019 offer with you!

Maggie Moran, Marketing Coordinator at Wisp Resort shared about the event: “We are grateful to be part of a country that grants each individual the freedom to choose who and what he or she wants to be. And we are proud to be part of the group of individuals who fights for that freedom. From our gratitude, we have designated Hero’s Day and Military March for those soldiers and first responders.”

Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales is proud to be a company that supports our military and employs many veterans! Thanks to the folks at Wisp Resort for offering this tremendous event for our true hero’s! Visit deepcreekvacations.com to check out homes available for a last minute stay this weekend!

Blackwater Falls – A Favorite Deep Creek Day Trip

Blackwater Falls is less than an hour southwest of Deep Creek Lake. Blackwater Falls State Park is the centerpiece the West Virginia state park system. Strikingly beautiful, this enchanting park contains a dense hardwood and pine forest, half-mile wide 500 foot deep canyon and several cascading waterfalls. The region offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide array of activities to choose from including: hiking, kayaking, bicycling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, nature photography and wildlife observation.

blackwater falls

Blackwater Falls State Park History

Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the falls of the Blackwater River whose amber-colored waters plunge five stories, then twist their way through an eight-mile long gorge. The river’s “black” water is a result of tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. Although they are a natural component of the ecosystem, the tannins cause the river to be highly acidic. In order for aquatic species to survive, lime is added to the river to counteract the acidity. Continue reading Blackwater Falls – A Favorite Deep Creek Day Trip

Your Deep Creek Real Estate Update

Your Deep Creek real estate update brings good news about the winter market! The snow guns are pumping out the snow on the slopes and buyers are still pumping out contracts. We may have slowed down with showings for the year, but the buyers are serious.

The sales have stayed steady for this time of year with 42 closings in November. The county average sales price was $454,200 and a lake area average of $601,398 is up over last year’s average. The inventory continues to trend down for the winter with 371 active listings for hungry buyers.

your deep creek real estate update

Buyer’s Tip: First time home buyer money is available from the Maryland Home Mortgage program. Contact one of our agents about getting some free money from the state. All of Garrett County is a target area for this program. Continue reading Your Deep Creek Real Estate Update

Upcoming Deep Creek Lake Holiday Events

Updated 12/8/2018 Deep Creek Lake holiday events keep things festive in the mountain of Western Maryland throughout late November and early December. If you love unique, local art or are looking for fun kids’ activities, you won’t be disappointed.

It is easy to catch the spirit of the season when you experience fun activities with friends and family. The best way to start is to choose your perfect mountain home – maybe one with a cozy fireplace or bubbling outdoor hot tub – and then plan your trip around one of these favorite Deep Creek Lake holiday events.

FESTIVAL OF TREES GARRETT COUNTY
November 23-24 at the Garrett County Fairgrounds, 10AM-6PM
Benefitting the Dove Center, there are lots of family activities to enjoy. Breakfast with Santa, crafts, face painting, and more will keep the kids entertained. Plus, you can shop for holiday gifts from local artisans and vendors. Beautifully decorated trees are found throughout the exhibit hall, and they are auctioned off at 6PM on Saturday as the grand finale. MORE INFO Continue reading Upcoming Deep Creek Lake Holiday Events

Jodi Taylor Refosco Named President of the VRMA

We are thrilled to announce that Taylor-Made owner, Jodi Taylor Refosco, was named President of the Board of Directors for the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA). The gavel was officially passed at the International Conference that was held in Las Vegas.

About VRMA

The Vacation Rental Management Association is an organization of vacation rental professionals and vendors. Members have educational and networking opportunities that strengthen their businesses and the industry as a whole. VRMA is the voice for vacation rental managers with thousands of members around the world.

Jodi was first introduced to VRMA by her parents over twenty years ago. She has held leadership roles that include serving as Secretary and Vice President of the board. Additionally, she was part of the conference planning and education committees.

Taylor-Made employees regularly attend VRMA events in order to connect with their peers and stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends. By taking advantage of these opportunities, both the company and the staff are elevated in their ability to assist travelers and home owners. It keeps them on top of the latest trends, products and processes.

About Jodi

Jodi started Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales, in 2008 with her husband, Joe, and her brother, Chad Taylor. Their inventory numbers over 400 vacation rental homes along with property services for 150 non-renting homes. For over a decade, their employees have provided exceptional service to guests and owners. A growing real estate division caters to Deep Creek Lake area buyers and sellers as well.

VRMA Photo

“I am honored to serve as President of this incredible organization that has been instrumental in the growth of our industry,” said Jodi Taylor Refosco. “I have great respect for those who have held this seat before me and look forward to upholding their legacy.”

Deep Creek Lake Real Estate News October 2018

Deep Creek Lake real estate news October 2018 is positive for the beginning of fall!

Deep Creek Lake Real Estate News October 2018

The leaves may not have changed colors early this year, but the listings statuses have been making a colorful changes. We currently have 22 homes under contract status right now and have put SOLD signs in the yard of 17 homes in past 30 days. The average sales price was $550,513. That’s a 25% increase compared to last year! Home inventories are still low giving buyers less competition going into the winter months.

Deep Creek Lake Real Estate News October 2018

Buyers Tip

Ski season is coming up. Start looking at potential investment properties near the slopes before everyone else does. The quieter fall season gives you easier access to properties that are already established vacation rentals. Continue reading Deep Creek Lake Real Estate News October 2018

Snowshoeing at Deep Creek Lake

If you like to hike, you’ll love snowshoeing at Deep Creek Lake! When the newscasters are frantically reporting the latest “blizzard of the century,” that’s the perfect time to strap on some snowshoes and head outside. Whether your goal is to get out for a leisurely walk in the snow or go for a more physically challenging adventure, you’ll find this traditional mode of travel easy to learn—and effective at getting you where you want to go. With miles of hiking trails available to snowshoe enthusiasts in area state parks, Garrett County is home to endless opportunities for winter backcountry travel.

Snowshoeing at Deep Creek Lake

History of Snowshoeing

The origin and age of snowshoes are not precisely known. Historians believe they were invented from 4,000 to 6,000 years ago, probably starting in Central Asia. Before humans built snowshoes, nature provided examples. Several animals, most notably the snowshoe hare, had evolved over the years with oversized feet enabling them to move more quickly through deep snow. Continue reading Snowshoeing at Deep Creek Lake

Einstein Visits Deep Creek Lake, MD

One of the most famous summer vacationers in Garrett County history was the German-born genius who created the world’s most famous equation. His name was Albert Einstein. His two week visit during September of 1946 was a well kept secret for over 30 years.

einstein visits deep creek lake

The year 1946 was a difficult one for Einstein. The previous year atomic bombs had been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Despite the fact that he had nothing to do with the manufacture of the bomb and his stance as a pacifist, he was pictured next to a mushroom cloud on the front cover of TIME in July of 1946. His famous E = mc² equation, first proposed forty years earlier, held the basic principles necessary for the development of the fission bomb. Yet he expressed deep regret for having signed the letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt that acted as a catalyst for the Manhattan Project. Alarmed by the growing Nazi in 1939, Einstein urged him to initiate a nuclear research program.

Einstein Visits Deep Creek Lake

In 1945, having just retired from the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, Einstein was tired of the unwanted publicity and media attention. Seeking solitude, he accepted an offer from John Steiding of Midland, MD to visit Deep Creek Lake. Mr. Steiding worked for the Celanese Fiber Company as a chemist and became acquainted with famous physicist through a co-worker’s wife who was sculpting a bust of him. In his quest to escape the spotlight, the professor came to stay at the summer cottage in the Turkey Neck area of Deep Creek Lake owned Dr. Frank Wilson, a prominent Cumberland surgeon. Continue reading Einstein Visits Deep Creek Lake, MD

Your Deep Creek Lake Real Estate Update for August 2018

Your Deep Creek Lake real estate update for August shows that pending sales are up 9% when compared to last year.

We had 24 homes under contract with an average sales price of $501,566 and heading to close soon. We had a great summer by helping 50 sellers move on to their next chapter and we had 50 buyers that fulfilled their dream of a new home in Garrett County and Deep Creek. Our sales volume for the summer topped off at $31.7 million in sales. We look forward to the cooler weather and all the festivals that come with it. It will bring in a whole new herd of buyers.

Your Deep Creek Lake Real Estate Update for August 2018

Buyer’s Tip: Ski season is coming up. Start looking at potential investment properties near the slopes before everyone else does. During the quieter fall season, it is easier to access homes that are for sale and also on the vacation rental market.

Seller’s Tip: Fall weather is a upon us bringing leaves and spider webs. We love the colors of fall — until we need to clean up the leaves. Maintaining curb appeal
becomes a challenge this time of year, but do your best to keep up with it. You never know when the right buyer will come along.

Browse Deep Creek Lake homes for sale now!

Deep Creek Lake Hiking Trails that You Can Explore

There are so many Deep Creek Lake hiking trails that you can explore! We are giving you an overview because we can hardly cover all of them here. Garrett Trails is a great resource for more detailed info on Deep Creek Lake hiking trails.

Deep Creek Lake Hiking Trails Overview

The statistics don’t tell the whole story, but they’re enough to entice hikers of all experience levels: over 80,000 acres dedicated to public parks, forests and open space areas, abundant wildlife populations and scenic beauty unlike what is found anywhere else in Maryland. The state forests and parks of Garrett County offer an immense, challenging and easily accessible hiking paradise.

Savage River State Forest

Savage River State Forest comprises 54,000 acres along the Savage River and the reservoir. It is the largest of Maryland’s state forests and features miles of rugged trails. Avid backpackers will enjoy the lengthy and picturesque trails found in this area. Big Savage Trail is the longest, following a 17 mile path along the ridge of Big Savage Mountain. Travel through upland forests of oak and hickory and reap the reward of the breathtaking view at High Rock. Before you lace up your boots, be sure to stop by forest headquarters to pick up a backcountry permit. Continue reading Deep Creek Lake Hiking Trails that You Can Explore