What I like about Columbia - 01/19/09 06:02 PM
I live in suburbia, which I'm very happy with.  Small lot, good neighbors close by, cul-de-sac living to cut down on the drive through traffic, excellent schools, town planned by Rouse.  Community amenities galore.
Here's one of the really nice things about the Columbia MD lifestyle - the pathways.  Just down at the end of the street, the path, the trees, the green space - and today - the snow!
And of course, the lovely dog that got me out into the snow, rather than admiring it through the windows while I was working on my computer!
Best regards,

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1-800-GOOG-411 - A major timesaver! - 01/16/09 01:22 PM
Here's a fantastic new timesaver for all of us --  Program it into your cell phones RIGHT NOW and then it will be there when you next need it.  It's in Beta testing, brought to us by Google:  You can dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) (PROGRAM IT IN!  PROGRAM IT IN!) and then, by saying your city and state, and then the business you're looking for, Google will connect you directly - for free!  Awesome!  Thank you, Google!
Here's a great Google video link with the features:  http://www.google.com/goog411/index.html
Best regards and enjoy,

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Awesome Lunch Today - Fresh, Real Food, Healthy - 01/14/09 02:51 PM
I was at a lunchtime meeting today, and the food was brought in -- big platter of truly delicious sandwiches from Quiznos and then a huge platter of salad, totally healthy, fresh, crisp, with dressing on the side.  Very impressive and highly recommended --  It seems it would be hard to mess up such a simple and tasty menu, yet so often those are exactly the ones that are ruined!  Go QUIZNOS!
Next time you need a quick, healthy and delicious meal - maybe on moving day - call QUIZNOS!!
Best regards,

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The Perfect Storm - Advice to my Reluctant Buyers - 01/14/09 08:39 AM
Watching the market?  Still feeling reluctant about buying? 
 Here's the thing:  There has never been such a combination before - Here in Howard County, we have the PERFECT STORM:
THE LOWER SALES PRICES THE LOWEST INTEREST RATES IN AGES AND AGES AND A MUCH LARGER INVENTORY TO CHOOSE FROM It doesn't get much better than that!  If you wait until the sales prices go up, you'll be able to afford fewer homes --  AND --  If you wait until the interest rates go up, you'll also be able to afford fewer homes.  So don't wait!
And not to worry --  In … (1 comments)

Bigfoot - Alive and Well in America - 01/13/09 07:08 PM
Interested in reducing your CARBON FOOTPRINT?  Local environmental biology teacher at River Hill High School, Susan Lower, will be discussing ways to reduce your family's carbon footprint - If you can't make the first meeting, at 7:00 pm this Thursday, January 15 at the Glenwood Library, then maybe I'll see you at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 3 at the Central Library in downtown Columbia for a repeat of the information sharing.  Everything we do helps, and there is much we can do in our own homes!
Best regards,

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Clean as a Whistle, Smooth as a Baby's Bottom! - 01/13/09 04:23 PM
Just attended my Buyers' Final Walk Through last night, everything on schedule, all in order, attended by the Seller and his Realtor as well (whose hand has been touched by Kevin Costner, incidentally!)  But I digress...  The property was neat as a pin, extra paint for retouching stacked in the basement, the Seller even, during negotiations, offered the (in good condition) washer and dryer at the property he was purchasing to my Buyers.  During the rentback period, he brought them over and put them in place, ready to go.
This is how real estate should work.  Good people are involved, with … (0 comments)

Climate Change Update - Get the Local Howard County 411! - 01/12/09 08:16 AM
Coming this Wednesday, 1/14/09, at 7:30 pm, don't miss hearing about the report issued this past fall by the Maryland Commission on Climate Change --  Elizabeth Entwisle, Climate Change Division, will enlighten us about the report and update us on upcoming legislation.
This is a free event, open to all.  Let's all learn more together about what we can do!  See you at the Hawthorn Center, 6175 Sunny Spring Road, Columbia 21044 (just south of the hospital, off Cedar Lane), Thursday at 7:30!
You can view the report here:  http://www.mde.state.md.us/Air/climatechange/index.asp 
Best regards,

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Sleet? Ice? Snow? We missed it today - but soon enough... - 01/07/09 09:36 AM

We had rumors of a little icing this morning, but it didn't happen here in Howard County.  Whew, another day NOT ADDED to the end of the school year!  But in the meantime, here's a fun and enlightening tool when we do finally have a bit of snow sticking:  It's the Howard County Snowplow Tracker!  How cool is that?  While you're bundled up in front of your computers at home next time, blowing on your steamy hot cocoa to cool it down, go here:  www.HowardCountyMD.gov and then click on the snowflake link .  Of course, if your power's out, you … (1 comments)

Good News, Maryland Sellers!! - 01/07/09 07:47 AM
Well, the word is out!  Maryland is at the top of the charts!  Education Week's (www.EdWeek.org) 13th annual report has been issued, and MARYLAND IS NUMBER ONE!!  Maryland's public schools got the top score of 84.7 overall, taking into account six different categories rated.  The score for the nation in general is at 76.2.
Not only does this provide impetus for the State to continue funding education, realizing it's a major draw for buyers in the area, and therefore, our economy as a whole --  but for our sellers, and our soon-to-be sellers, remember to emphasize, and have your Realtor emphasize, the significance of … (0 comments)

The Savage Bridge - 01/06/09 04:37 PM
Looking for an interesting place to visit, a bit on the historical side?  The Bollman Bridge in Savage, Maryland, is the only remaining Bollman Bridge in the world.  Invented by a Baltimorean, Wendell Bollman, in 1852, it was the first bridge built completely from iron.  In 1887, it was moved from its original location to Savage Mill, where you can see it - and walk across it - and while you're in the area, why not visit the Savage Mill shops (or the bakery for coffee and goodies)?  Lots of interesting, one-of-a-kind speciality shops to window-shop - or truly shop - … (0 comments)

 
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Gretchen Conley - Howard County MD Real Estate

Columbia, MD

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Keller Williams Realty Centre

Address: 6230 Old Dobbin Road, #150, Columbia, MD, 21045

Office Phone: (443) 766-1632

Cell Phone: (443) 676-1625

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