Maryland Real Estate

Crofton Maryland Gardeners Honor Wounded Soldiers

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:07:41 -0600

It's a November tradition for the Crofton Village Garden Club to make patriotic-themed floral arrangements for wounded soldiers and other patients. Each member makes two or three of them so we'll be sure to have enough for all 120 patients at the VA Rehab and Extended Care Facility in Baltimore, Maryland.

This is a very easy and inexpensive activity that your garden club, scout troop, office or other organization could easily duplicate, following the steps in this brief video. With 40 participants, it can be accomplished in an hour or less.

Please join us in thanking our wounded veterans in November and throughout the year.

Will This Maryland Wetland Soon Become Concrete? - Part II

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:20:06 -0600

Why is it that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources went to great lengths to drain the pond on private property west of Route 3 in Crofton a few years ago when a Northern Snakehead fish was discovered there? (National Geographic News)

The answer depends somewhat on who you ask, but one common denominator in any conversation about this is the pond's proximity to the Little Patuxent River, just 75 feet from the pond. Officials and biologists were worried that this "air-breathing, land-crawling, voracious predator" would invade the state's river system and even reach the Chesapeake Bay, causing irreparable harm.

However, Maryland Department of the Environment apparently isn't concerned about the impact of development on this site, so close to the Little Patuxent River. In fact, they have issued a permit for a big box store there. I guess they don't anticipate that development of this wetland will impact the environment as negatively as that 24-inch long fish; that pollution and runoff to the Little Patuxent River, affecting the state river system and even the Chesapeake Bay, will not be a problem. Go figure!

I wonder, then, why this property was included in the Patuxent Greenway System established to protect “important” lands" If its location within the bounds of a designated State Scenic River in the critical area doesn't protect this property, can any land in Maryland be protected from a future covered in concrete?

These beautiful wildflowers were photographed at the site where the pond is located and the permit has been issued:

For more about this, please read Will This Maryland Wetland Soon Become Concrete? - Part I.

Crofton residents have successfully opposed the owner of this property and his various development schemes in the area for over 20 years. Unfortunately, this time he has succeeded in getting this critical permit from the government agency charged with responsibility for protecting our environment.

The Greater Crofton Council is an excellent resource for updates about this and other matters of local concern, so be sure to bookmark their website and check it often.

Look for Part III of this series next week on the Maryland Real Estate Blog.

PHOTO: Kathryn Para

Re-Pupose Your Halloween Decorations and Candy

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:01:10 -0600

Recycle all things Halloween. Yes, even your perishables!

I wrote a post for the Crofton Village Garden Club website about this time last year that was a brief "how-to" for re-purposing one's Halloween pumpkin. I was reminded of that today in a conversation with a colleague about this very topic.

So before you throw away or put away all things Halloween, let me share this with you:

PUMPKIN:

Turn your pumpkin into a decorative container for a fall flower arrangement:

Cut the top off your pumpkin and set it aside.
Scoop out the inside of your pumpkin and discard it (or set it aside for making pumpkin pie, pudding, muffins or soup).
Place an autumn arrangement of flowers, grasses and leaves in a plastic or glass container into your pumpkin.

It's as simple as that!

Wouldn't the arrangment in the photo look beautiful on your dining table or sideboard?

Home sellers take note because this would be a nice touch to help buyers fall in love with your home.

CANDY:

Who says you have to eat Halloween candy from now until you're sick of it, however long that might be? Here are a few ideas you might consider:

Melt those chocolate bars in a double boiler, a fondue pot, or over a low heat on your stove. Use them as topping on an ice cream sundae, or perhaps as a fondue sauce for dipping fruit, marshmallows, or cake-squares. Hmm, hmmm, good!
Crush those hard candies and fruit-flavored Lifesavers, and sprinkle them in the windows of gingerbread house parts before you bake them. The candies will melt and create a stained-glass look for your gingerbread house. (Yes, I have done this!)
Cut up candies and nuts (candy corn, for example) and store it in a plastic bag until you need some candy sprinkles for ice cream, cookies or cake... or maybe substitute them for chocolate chips the next time you bake cookies.

Recycling doesn't just have to be about newspapers, bottles and cans.

'Would love to have your ideas, too, so please add them in your comments.

(Photos: istockphoto.com)

Will This Maryland Wetland Soon Become Concrete? - Part 1

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:41:50 -0500

For the next few weeks, I'm going to share with you weekly photos of the wetlands on the west side of Route 3 in Crofton, Maryland. Enjoy them while you can because the property owner has somehow managed to obtain a permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment to develop this natural wetlands area into a site for a big-box store.

Community residents and activists successfully drove Walmart away and assumed the issue was dead. Little did we know that the permit process continued. Even if we had known it, who could have imagined that our state Department of the Environment would allow development of this 20-acre parcel along the Little Patuxent River.

It is, after all, within the bounds of a designated State Scenic River, in the critical area, and it is a part of the Patuxent Greenway System established to protect “important” lands.

Many thanks to Dick Lahn for this description of the area and to Kathryn Para for her photo. More information and more photos will follow over the next 4-6 weeks.

By the way, if you click through to this Letter to the Editor by Dick Lahn, you will see his two photos of this area 30-40 years ago, when it was known as Walch's Grove. The difference between then and now really is mind-boggling - but not as much as it will be if this area is paved over in concrete for future generations.

Will This Maryland Wetland Soon Become Concrete - Part II

Why Google When You Can Activerain?

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:09:39 -0500

Wanna find a good definition or description of "absorption rate"? Don't Google it, Activerain it.

Wanna know how to write a real estate business plan? - Don't Google it, Activerain it.

Wanna know what the word "kaizen" means? - don't Google it, Activerain it.

There is no end to the information you will find on Activerain, is there? That's why I usually check Activerain even before I do a Google search.

Wanna find an agent for your referral in N.C.? Check Activerain first, even before your company directory.

Wanna learn more about SEO (or simply find out what that acronym means)? Do an Activerain search and read, read, read. No need to sign up for that expensive class.

Looking for marketing ideas? - Learn about Postlets, V-flyers, Real Estate Shows, and hundreds of other ideas on Activerain. You'll find other agents sharing the tools they use - some of them are free!

Never written a market study? Get lots of ideas from those posted on Activerain by agents who do them every month (or every week).

Short sales have you frustrated? Find articles and even short sale coaches on Activerain.

Activerain has everything any real estate professional could want to know... and then some. That's why I Activerain (the verb) first when I'm looking for anything real estate. I Google and Yahoo and Bing for other things.

P.S. - Did I mention that you'll make lots of friends around the country on Activerain who share your vision, your goals, your values... and prospective clients will find you online and want to do business with you? It makes you wanna dance in the rain!

P.P.S - This is an unsolicited testimonial. You'll find lots of those on Activerain.

Operation Christmas Stocking - REALTORS as Santa's Elves

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:28:47 -0500

Long and Foster agents in Crofton, Maryland, jumped into action when I told them about Operation Christmas Stocking, just five days ago.

There were so many bags and boxes of goodies in my office, two days later, that I could barely make a path to my desk. Yesterday, several agents and family members showed up to fill 101 holiday gift bags!

Toiletries, toys, playing cards, puzzle books and pencils, notepaper and pens, candy and lots of other things overflowed the holiday gift bags, along with a hand-wrtten Christmas card to say "thank you" to the gift bag recipient.

I'd like to say "thank you" to my office for responding so quickly and generously. You're amazing!

Crofton Maryland Real Estate Update - September 2009

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:41:32 -0500

Crofton Maryland homeowners want to know, “Is the real estate market stabilizing in Crofton?” Using statistics from the five most recent years, I’ll do my best to answer that for you.

Good news:

More homes sold/settled during September 2009 in Crofton, Maryland, than September of the two most recent years, although we’re nowhere near the number of the bubble year 2006.
More good news: “Days on Market” are down almost 15% from the same month last year, and
Both the average and median prices are up slightly from September a year ago.

My daughter-in-law, Christine, prepared this chart so we can see a five-year trend in all the areas tracked by Metropolitan Regional Information Services (MRIS). I think this expanded look at the Crofton real estate market is necessary to get a true picture of any trends occurring in the Crofton Maryland real estate market:

Not all Crofton real estate news is good, however:

The number of new non-contingent contracts last month was lower than any September in recent memory – 17 in 2009 vs. 32 in 2006.
The sold price, as a percentage of list price, is down – also the lowest it’s been any September during a 5–year period.
The number of new listings is nearly double the number of new contracts. Until these numbers are more balanced, we can't realistically expect a stable real estate market.

Looking at all these numbers, that last bullet point is the one things that best answers the question, “Is the real estate market stabilizing in Crofton?” As long as new listings outnumber new non-contingent contracts, we will have a supply and demand problem in Crofton Maryland real estate.

Right now, if you divide the number of September listings (155) by the number of new non-contingent contracts (17), you will see a 9+ month absorption rate. The scariest thing about that may be the fact that we don’t know how home values may change during that 9+ month period – they could go down. For that reason, I encourage anyone putting their home on the market now to be aggressive in pricing their home so it sells sooner rather than later.

This chart and my commentary are based on figures for the entire 21114 zipcode. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in the near future, you will want information that’s specific to your neighborhood, or at least to the type of home (detached vs. townhome, for example).

Contact me any time for this information or, if you prefer, you can request a MARKET SNAPSHOT online.

P.S. Thanks, Christine, for preparing this chart of Crofton Maryland real estate statistics for September 2009.

Still Time to Participate in Operation Christmas Stocking

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:20:24 -0500

It's not too late for you and your office to participate in Operation Christmas Stocking, the nationwide mega-effort to provide Christmas stockings or gift bags to deployed troops. However, time is getting short, since they have to be received in the Salt Lake City warehouse BEFORE NOVEMBER 1.

Just purchase some stockings or holiday gift bags at your local dollar store and ask other agents, lenders, closing attorneys, and even past clients to drop off goodies for filling them. Items don't need to be expensive. We found it efficient to have only about 3 or 4 people actually stuffing the bags, or dividing into teams might be a good option if enough people are participating in the stuffing effort.

Here are some ideas for filling the bags:

Hard candy, socks, games, toileties (toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, sunscreen, hand cream, etc), yo-yo, playing cards, harmonica, inflatable beach ball, hand sanitizer, pen, paperback books, puzzles, bug spray, chapstick, etc.

Shipping is free, as long as the budget holds out. Here are the shipping instructions.

For more information, visit Operation Christmas Stocking - and get started today. If you're anywhere near Crofton, Maryland, I could use your help. Call me at 410-721-1500 for more information.

PHOTO: Melissa Slye stuffing holiday gift bags for the troops in October 2008.

What is That Purple Thing Hanging in The Tree?

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:09:59 -0500

Have you ever heard that question, while showing property? If so, chances are good that you didn't know the answer.

That purple thing, my friends, is a trap for Emerald Ash Borer. Which leads to the next question... what's an Emerald Ash Borer? (And tell me again, why do I care?)

Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic beetle from Asia that attacks ash trees. It has killed many millions of ash trees in Maryland, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and recently it's been found in Virginia, West Virginia and other states.

This invasive species of insect was the topic of a horticulture presentation made at my garden club meeting last week by Dick Bean, an Entomologist with the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

I'll be the first to admit that lectures are not my favorite programs... I much prefer flower arranging workshops and field trips to interesting places (like the one to Mount Vernon in June). BUT I always learn something when an expert like Dick speaks at one of our monthly meetings, and this was no exception. In fact, I was glad to learn about these traps in case a client does ask me about them someday, because they have been placed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture along roadsides and in neighborhoods in Anne Arundel, Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties.

These purple traps are three-dimensional triangles or prisms made out of thin, corrugated, purple plastic that has been coated with non-toxic glue on all three sides. They are about 24 inches long and hang vertically in an ash tree or are secured to the trunk of a tree. The traps are baited with a lure (Manuka oil) to increase the attractiveness of these traps to beetles. They are not toxic, but they are very very sticky. If you find one on the ground, you should call local authorities (In Maryland, the number is 1-800-342-2507) rather than pick it up yourself.

You can re-assure your prospective buyers that:

1. These traps will not harm people, pets, or wildlife (BUT the non-toxic glue can be extremely sticky and messy.)

2. The presence of "that purple thing" does not indicate any tree in the yard, or even the neighborhood, is affected.

Photo at left shows trees that have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer.

Here's how the trap works (just so you can sound like a know-it-all when your buyer asks):

During adult emergence of these beetles, they fly around ash trees, nibbling on leaves and looking for a mate. If an one lands on a purple trap, it will get stuck in the glue. In the fall, crews will return to trap sites to collect samples and remove the traps. Any insects collected from the traps will be cleaned and sent to the USDA identifier for verification, which will be communicated to the appropriate State plant regulatory official.

Maryland agents (and their clients) can learn the latest about the spread of this invasive species of insect on the MD Dept. of Agriculture website. I'm sure there is information on othe state websites, as well.

You just never know what you're going to learn on Activerain, do you? I'll bet it never occurred to you this morning when you woke up that you'd be learning about purple things hanging in trees. But you'll be glad you did read this if a client ever says to you "What's that purple thing in the tree?"

Anne Arundel County Maryland Real Estate - September 2009

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:28:27 -0500

The real estate market showed quite an improvement last month in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, compared to September 2008. The number of homes sold and settled was UP almost 25% and the "Days on Market" went down over 11%.

I don't believe this is the beginning of a market trend for homeowners who are waiting for the market to turn before they sell, however. More likely, it is a temporary "bubble" that has been stimulated by the federal government's $8,000 tax credit (due to expire next month) and the huge inventory of bank-owned properties and short sales being picked up by investors at bargain prices and then flipped for profit (still at bargain sale prices) after some improvements. These properties continued to drive DOWN both the average (-13.95%) and median (-9.38%) sold prices in Anne Arundel County in September 2009.

There was quite a shift in the type of financing buyers used last month, compared to a year ago, with the number of Conventional loans remaining steady, but a lot more FHA and VA loans, and nearly three times as many cash purchases as a year ago. I suspect most of those cash purchases were probably made by speculators, not owner-occupant homebuyers.

Source: MRIS

Compare these numbers to buyers' financing choices in Anne Arundel County during the same month last year: FHA (140), VA (41), Conventional (153), Cash (13), Assumption (31), and Other (10). FHA has grown exponentially as the financing of choice - probably due to the disproportionate number of first-time home buyers pulled into the market-place by the temporary $8,000 tax credit.

If the tax credit legislation expires, as scheduled on November 30, it will be interesting to track financing for another year.

My crystal ball: I consider the greatest predictor of future real estate trends to be the comings and goings in the market... New listings coming on the market each month vs. listings going under contract. In September 2009, there were 810 new listings in Anne Arundel County, Maryland - more than double the 379 non-contingent home sales. Even if you add in the 170 contingent home sales for a total of 549, the inventory is still growing at a much greater rate than homes are selling.

This is one of the prime measures of a "Buyer's Market" - i.e., when market conditions favor home buyers, rather than home sellers. With 4038 homes on the market throughout the county in a single month, 482 going to settlement, and 549 combined contingent and non-contingent new contracts - buyers clearly have the upper hand. In a nutshell, they have options... many options. If one seller won't meet their terms, chances are the next one will.

So yes... things are better, in that the number of homes sold and settled went up nearly 25% last month over the same month last year, and the "Days on Market" went down. BUT let's not start celebrating quite yet.

Do You Vacuum Your Lampshades?

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:54:21 -0500

That's not a trick question... go ahead, answer it! Do you vacuum your lampshades?

'Just curious, because I do a few times each year, but I've never seen that task on any list of housekeeping tips.

(If you're looking for an inspiring real estate post, please move on. This is not going to be one of those.)

I took advantage of the opportunity to get a few things done around the house that are not part of my normal routine, when my husband was out of town a few days. As I vacuumed the lampshades, I was amazed (as I always am) that they still look like new. I patted myself on the back for taking such good care of them, and it dawned on me that they are older than my children. (Shhhh... don't tell anyone, but the oldest is 40.)

Who could have imagined that a pair of lampshades would last that long? I didn't even pick them out, so I can't ask myself if I would have selected something different, had I known they'd still be in my living room four decades later.

While my husband was a Naval Officer on a ship serving off the coast of Vietnam for several deployments over the course of four years, he had a few opportunities to visit a few Asian ports during R&R stops. The lampshades were among many things he brought home to me - along with a large hand-carved chest (which serves as an end table in my living room), brass lamps (that host the oversize shades), and several other treasures.

Picture this, if you can... After purchasing these goodies, he transported them on a small boat back to his ship in the harbor and then he carried them on his back up a ladder on the side of the ship. Had he dropped them, there would have been a big splash... Then I would have picked out lamps and shades at a local store and probably replaced them periodically over the years. LOL.

Given their history, obviously these lamps aren't going anywhere as long as we're around!

Okay, there's no punch line here... I was just thinking out loud - or more precisely through my fingertips. But I am curious to know if other people vacuum their lampshades (and if anyone has lampshades older than mine.) Come on... you can tell...

(Who says that Activerain posts have to be about real estate?)

Why Read Localism Posts on Active Rain

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:34:45 -0500

I couldn't help noticing that some hyper-local posts have been appearing recently on the "Featured" dashboard of the Activerain homepage. They don't generate quite the number of comments that general posts do, but maybe they should.

Featured posts are usually well written, full of good information, and - in the case of local posts about a specific neighborhood or community - they are a great source of ideas for our own writing. Please... take a minute to read and comment on these, if you haven't already:

Diane Aurit's post, Lake Norman Overview September 2009, demonstrates for us that a market report does not have to be full of statistics packed into all the charts and graphs we can possibly display. In fact, it's an interesting narrative that will probably inspire local consumers to read from start to finish. Isn't that something we should all be doing with our consumer-targeted Activerain posts?

Teri Eckholm's TEN GREAT Reasons North St Paul, MN is a Perfect Place to Call Home! had me scratching my head, trying to think of of ten great reasons my market is a perfect place to call home. Yes, I've done a list like that before, but she had some really interesting things, and her list did not sound like a travelogue or an ad. Couldn't we all find some inspiration in the things she chose to list?

Mike Jones's post, Unique Architecture: Ez-Kim-In-Zin Picnic Area In Tucson's Saguaro National Park West, features one of his fabulous photos and makes me want to include this picnic area on my "must see" list when I visit his corner of the world. I have no doubt that local residents read his blog regularly, and I wonder who they'll think of first when they want a home purchase or refinance mortgage. Not just because of his low rates or great service, but because they know him through his blog.

These are just a few of the recent "local" posts that have been featured on Activerain, BUT don't stop with featured posts... there are several groups where you can find posts with local content. Local Experts and Posts to Localism are just two of them which I encourage you to join and read because you will be inspired by the posts you find there. You will probably never suffer writer's block again, if you do, because you will have a new resource for blog topic ideas.

Not only that, you will meet new friends who may become your best friends on Activerain when you read and comment on local posts. That's because the local posts don't generate as many comments, so yours will be more appreciated than it is as one of sixty+ comments on a typical featured post. Your comment is more likely to result in reciprocation, and that is how Activerain newbies (and oldies) build relationships here on Activerain. (That's a topic for another day.)

And you will have a new destination for referrals, because you will naturally be inclined to refer your relocating clients and customers to an agent who loves their market. What better way is there to make the case that you deserve business in your area than to write about it in loving terms?

Those are some of the reasons I enjoy reading Localism posts on Activerain. Why do you read them?

Do You Qualify for a Short Sale on your Crofton home?

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:07:50 -0500

Owing more than your home is worth in today’s Crofton real estate market is just one of the factors determining whether a lender will approve your short sale. That alone is not enough to qualify for a short sale.

According to America's Home Rescue, you must first be able to satisfy your lender(s) regarding these three factors before most lenders will consider your short sale application:

1. You are behind in your mortgage payments.
2. You have a genuine hardship.
3. You have no equity in the property.

In fact, some lenders have a much longer list and they all require a lot of supporting documentation. On the flip side, some lenders are flexible about these three factors.

Please don’t stop making payments on your home just to qualify for a short sale. The fact is that you’re probably already behind if you do have a qualifying hardship.

You will have to jump through a whole bunch of hoops with your lender, even if you do meet this basic test – and the process will be different, depending on what kind of loan you have. If you owe more than you can get for selling your home, ask your prospective real estate agent if they know the process for short-selling a home with YOUR loan type and/or YOUR combination of first and second trust. (If they know, they’ll be able to explain the difference between your loan type and another.)

Finding a buyer for your Crofton home may not solve your problem. If your agent doesn’t really know the short-sale process, he/she may give you well-intentioned but wrong advice on what is or is not an acceptable short sale offer from your lender's perspective. After weeks or months of uncertainty, your buyer could withdraw or your short-sale application could be turned down and you could lose your home to foreclosure.

If there was ever a time in your life to choose the most experienced real estate agent instead of the cheapest, this is it.

Selling short may not be an option for you, so you need to know “up front” what your chances are of qualifying for a short-sale, what the process is (and follow it!), and what other alternatives there are for dealing with the “under-water” or “upside down” loan on your Crofton home.

Small Victories Make Me Love My Job

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:45:18 -0500

My rental client's application was accepted this week for a condo in Crofton, MD. 'Doesn't sound like a big deal in this world of high-stakes real estate buying and selling, but it was very important to him.

It meant the difference between having a roof over his head or not - or, at the very least, between keeping his son in the same school or having to move to another neighborhood when his current landlord decided to sell.

Telling this client the bad news when his first rental application was rejected was tough... and the second... but the third time was charmed, and I couldn't have been happier if it was a multi-million dollar sale.

This rental wasn't a huge victory, like the one Katerina and Nestor Gasset told us about earlier in the week (Short Sale Strategies- When The Lender Blames The Investor- Case In Point), and the commission for any rental is minimal. But this transaction does remind me why I love my job:

It's the people we serve, and helping them achieve THEIR goals, big or small.

Crofton Maryland Real Estate Update - August 2009

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:32:09 -0500

Has the Crofton Maryland real estate market stabilized? That's a question many people are asking these days, and there is no simple answer. There are so many factors to consider, and here are a few of them tracked over a number of years:

If you prefer colorful graphs, I have some of those, too. Here's one illustrating how many homes sold in the 21114 zipcode vs. how many active listings there were in recent months:

There were 46 new listings in Crofton during August, compared to 13 new non-contingent contracts. Ideally, the two numbers would be about the same, because these figures indicate that the housing inventory is growing - and that's not what home owners want to see. (Economics 101: Supply and Demand) It is good for home buyers, but many of them are still sitting on the fence.

For more information about the local real estate market, including specifics about your neighborhood (as opposed to your zipcode), CONTACT ME any time.

Hermitage - An Upscale Community Near Crofton

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:15:48 -0500

As you leave Crofton and head east on Route 450 towards Annapolis, you'll spot this entrance into the community of Hermitage - a community of 62 custom-built homes on spacious lots.

You can see from these photos that Hermitage is not a "one size fits all" community... in fact you'll find homes and settings for every taste, from colonials to ranchers, tudors to contemporary, and wooded to open space. Yet it's not a hodge-podge, either, because the homes are far apart on winding and sloping roads that seamlessly take you past one home to the next.

There are no homes on the market now in Hermitage and no recent sales to report - in fact, the last sale/settlement in the community was January 2008 ($810,000). There is one home under contract, however, and it sold in just seven days. This is a stable community where people buy a home with the intention of staying! (Homes in the photos are not for sale.)

The location of Hermitage is ideal for anyone commuting to D.C. or Baltimore, since it's easily accessible to Route 50 (to D.C.) or Route 3 and I-97 (to Baltimore), depending on which way you turn at nearby Davidsonville Road (Rt. 424). It's a neighborhood that homebuyers select for that convenience, as well as its proximity to Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay. The U.S. Naval Academy, Fort Meade, and Andrews Air Force Base are all within 30 minutes, as well.

Check out the homes in Hermitage and other upscale communities near Crofton. This is a GREAT time for current residents to move up without leaving the area and for relocating homebuyers to capitalize on a market that may make "upscale" more affordable for you than it would have been a few years ago.

Crofton Maryland Real Estate - Civic Association Meeting Could Impact Your Property Value

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:04:18 -0500

The Crofton Civic Association annual meeting is tonight at Crofton Elementary School (7:30 p.m.) and the “hot topic” will be the future of Lake Louise.

Once the jewel of Crofton’s curb appeal, Lake Louise has been an eyesore for years.

In the early days of my real estate career, prospective home buyers were always impressed at the lovely entrance into “Old Crofton” – the beautiful pond known as “Lake Louise” and the meticulously maintained lawns. No more. Now their first impression of our neighborhood can be summarized in one word, “OLD”.

Contrast this with their impression as they drive into other nearby communities and even shopping centers where the lawns and beds at the entrance are impeccably maintained, seasonal flowers are in bloom, and water features often include a fountain, lighting and sometimes a walking path and benches…

There are several proposals for Lake Louise on the table, and you probably already read about them on the Crofton Civic Association website or in the letter mailed to every household. You’ll learn more about each option if you attend the meeting tonight.

The property value of every homeowner in Crofton will be impacted by any decision regarding the future of Lake Louise. That’s because the decision of prospective homebuyers to choose our community over another (let alone your home) will be influenced by the “curb appeal” of Crofton’s front yard along Route 3. A beautifully maintained entrance into the community creates that important “first impression” for the neighborhood. As you’ve heard before, “you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression.”

Please keep that in mind as you consider all the options, and don’t “settle” for anything less than a first class landscaping and maintenance package for Crofton’s front yard. A “natural” look in your front yard wouldn’t appeal to many homebuyers, and it’s not likely to attract many of them past those front gates and into our community either.

Homes for Sale in CROFTON

Crofton Condo at Short-Sale Price without any Short-Sale Hassles or Delays

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:35:03 -0500

You have less than two weeks to buy a Crofton condo before FHA purchase money for condos dries up on October 1. (Assuming they don’t come to their senses before then and cancel a planned policy change.)

That’s because condo communities approved by FHA before 10/1/08 will lose their approvals, and the process for approving them again is expected to be lengthy. And that is a good reason to buy a Crofton Condo NOW. Any Crofton condo. But…

THIS Crofton condo can be purchased at a price comparable to a short-sale at just $187,000, but it is NOT a short sale. You can avoid all the delays, hassle and frustration that short-sale and foreclosure buyers experience, without paying more – AND you will get FHA financing PLUS the $8,000 tax credit (if you settle before 12/1/09).

But this is no dump or handy-man special… The windows and kitchen counter-tops were recently replaced, and there’s neutral paint and carpet throughout. Washer, dryer and all kitchen appliances are included, and lighting has been updated.

Don’t let this condo in convenient Crofton Meadows get away!

Click HERE to Search all Crofton homes.

I Know You From Activerain...

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:30:20 -0500

If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me "I know you from Activerain" at the Maryland Association of REALTORS Convention earlier this week, I could take my hubby out to dinner tonight! Okay, that's an exaggeration, unless we're talking McDonalds, but it did happen several times. I almost felt like a celebrity.

'Just got back from three days in Ocean City, Maryland, but I saw the Atlantic only briefly each morning through my hotel room window. My days were spent in windowless rooms at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, where I attended several continuing ed classes. (And yes, I did attend the Capitol Title and MetLife Home Loans parties on Sunday night.)

It wasn't unusual for someone to tap me on the shoulder and say "Aren't you Margaret from Activerain?" One person sitting next to me said "I read all your blogs." And several people approached me on Monday, as I sat outside the Convention Center on a bench to absorb a few rays of sunshine during the lunch break. None of these people are among those I consider my "Activerain friends"... Activerainers with whom I often exchange comments, talk with on the phone, even get together with to exchange "how-to's" and ideas - although I did see some Activerain friends, as well.

You'll probably see me posting listings more often now that I realize so many other agents in my marketplace are following me on Activerain. What a great way to get additional exposure for my clients! Who knew... 'Guess it just goes to prove that you never know who is reading your posts, since only a small percentage of readers take the time to comment.

(This is my cue to say, "Click through now to read about a Crofton Condo at a Short-Sale Price without Short-Sale Hassles or Delays.")

Thanks for following me, and thanks for saying "Hi" at MAR. If you gave me your name, subscribing to your blog was one of the first things I did when I got home.

Training for Crofton Area Runners

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:37:26 -0500

“But I can’t run from my front door to the corner mailbox!”

That’s a quote from my daughter Susan a few years ago when someone challenged her to participate in the Cherry Blossom Run. And she wasn't kidding, when she said that. After her doctor advised that asthma was no excuse for saying “no” – in fact, it would be good for her – she went online and found a training program for beginning runners. And yes, she did finish the race. If she could do it, you can, too!

Now you can train with local resident and prominent runner, trainer and author Christine Hinton, also known as The Running Coach.

Christine is offering her 10–week training program for Crofton area runners, beginning on September 19 at Crofton Country Club or Christine’s house, depending on the size of the group. They’ll be running in and around Crofton, in all weather conditions, as preparation for the Annapolis Striders 11th annual Cold Turkey 10k (6.2 miles) on Sunday November 22 at 8 a.m. Plan on an hour for the initial session, and more time as the running distance increases.

If you prefer, you can train for the 8k Downs Park 5 Miler on Saturday November 7 at 8:30 a.m. (Or you can train just for the heck of it and not participate in any race at all!)

Unsure? Take a minute to read Christine’s Top Ten Reasons to Hire a Coach.

Here’s what you need to bring to the first training session:

Running shoes and clothing, hat, gloves, water bottle
change of clothes for ride home or coat to cover up, towel,
completed Runner’s Questionnaire, signed Waiver Form, and your payment ($100 for the 10–week training, $80 for the 8–week training).

What you get:

Half-price registration fee for the Cold Turkey 10k.
Unlimited email access to a well known and published RRCA certified professional running coach and author.
Information on strength training, cross training, nutrition, form, gear, hydration, stretching, race day prep, etc…
Ongoing Q&A to become an educated runner
Weekly email newsletters
Group trip to a local running store to make sure you are in the right shoes and get any other apparel needed.
Group discount at local running stores: 10% at Annapolis Running Store and 10% at Charm City.

Visit Christine’s website and her blog for more details about Coach Christine, the training program, and the benefits of training.

Running in and around Crofton with a bunch of other local folks sounds to me like a great opportunity for making new friends, having a lot of fun, and learning how to run correctly. What are you waiting for?

For more information, contact Coach Christine Hinton at 410-562-2277 or TheRunningCoach@comcast.net.

What's Showing at the Movies in Bowie this Weekend?

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:40:03 -0500

It's going to be a "staycation" for many families in the Bowie - Crofton area this Labor Day Weekend. That could mean going to the movies, a last dip in the pool, shopping, looking at homes...

Regal Bowie Crossing Stadium 14, located near the Route 97 Exit off Route 50, has something for everyone, if going to the movies is on your wish list for the weekend. Here's the what's showing:

All About Steve (PG-13)
Extract (R) |
Gamer (R) |
The Final Destination 3D (R) |
Halloween II (R)
Inglourious Basterds (R)
Post Grad (PG-13)
Shorts (PG)
District 9 (R) |
Ponyo (G)
The Time Traveler's Wife (PG-13)
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (PG-13)
Julie & Julia (PG-13)
G-Force (PG)
Orphan (R) |
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (PG)

If these shows or their scheduled times don't tempt you, we have no shortage of other movie theaters within a half hour.

UA Movies at Marley Station 8

Bow Tie Harbor 9

Bow Tie Annapolis 11

It's a great weekend for looking at homes in the Bowie-Crofton area, too, so give me a call if you'd like to find out what's available. I'll check the listings and schedule appointments for the Top Five matching your search criteria.

What's An Agent To Do When the Seller Wants More?

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:17:34 -0500

No, not more money... more expertise than I have.

I can sell a run-down home, even one that must be sold "as-is" because the sellers have no financial resources for repairs...
I can sell an over-priced home - not always, but often...
I can sell a home when sellers are distressed for any number of reasons - whether it's divorce, job loss, illness...
I can sell a home in a buyers' market or sellers' market, during inflation or a recession, war or peace. I've encountered all of these during my 35+ year real estate career.

BUT please understand...

I cannot provide legal advice.
Or accounting advice.
Or debt remediation counseling.
I cannot counsel anyone regarding their personal affairs.
I cannot make decisions for other people and their family members.
And I doubt I can sell a home that is extremely run-down, cluttered, out-dated, over-priced and located in a neighborhood that is generally run down and declining in both demand and value. (At least not when the family has so many questions about their legal options, their financial responsibilities, and uncertainties about the next step for the sellers.)

I may be good at what I do, but there are limits!

When faced with this situation today, I declined a listing. I provided the name and contact information for two attorneys who are qualified to advise the sellers and a website address of potential destination locations for the sellers. I even promised to be available for them after they get the professional advice and counseling they need and there is a plan for where the sellers will go or what they will do if the house sells.

I really hope this family doesn't hook up with an irresponsible agent who takes advantage of them. If anyone can sell this property, I can - but the last thing I want to do is sell their home and make their situation worse than it is now.

I'm a really good real estate agent, but that's all. When sellers wants or need more, they must turn to qualified professionals in other fields.

Neighborhoods in Crofton Maryland - Chapman Farm

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:42:40 -0500

Chapman Farm is a community of more than 500 detached homes built in the 90's on the west side of Reidel Road in Crofton, Maryland.

It's a beautiful community of well-kept homes built around a designated "historic" home and outbuildings on a site now used as a community clubhouse and playground, with ample parking.

No doubt about it... home buyers love Chapman Farm! Nearly 30% of all detached homes that went under contract during August in Crofton were located in Chapman Farms. These homes ranged in price from roughly $485,000 to $585,000. Now there are only four active listings remaining on the market, so you'd better go check them out!

How to Find Out What Your Neighbors Paid for Their Crofton Homes

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:36:25 -0500

Want to know what your neighbors paid for their Crofton home?

You don't have to dig through their trash bags at the curb and you don't have to watch for the information to be published in a local newspaper. And no, I'm not going to suggest you just ask. It's online at the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website.

Just click on the image or the link above it, and scroll within the little box (red arrow) to find Anne Arundel County; then you'll probably want to search by Street Name or Property Sales (highlighted in green). You'll be prompted to further define your search, so just follow the directions on your screen.

If you search by Street Name, this is the information you will learn about any property:

Date of purchase
Amt. of purchase
Date built
Amt. of assessment
Size of lot (sq. ft.)
Size of house (sq. ft.)
Name of current owner
Name of previous owner
Date of previous purchase
Amt. of previous purchase

If you search by Property Sales:

You can search for sales during a specified time-frame and/or search all sales on a specific street... or you can search for a specific address. You can include commercial, vacant, or improved properties, as well as residential ones. When I search for Property Sales on my own street, for example, I find that two homes have sold since January 1 of this year, and one has been re-financed.

How could you use this information?

You could determine if your neighbor's property is assessed about the same as yours... if several of your neighbors' assessments are less, you may want to use the information to appeal your own property assessment and tax bill.
If you don't know the names of your neighbors, this is a good way to find out - assuming the owners are also the occupants of the properties.
If you're thinking of buying or selling a home, you can get a first-hand look at nearby recent sales including those not listed with real estate agents.

Real estate agents, title companies and lenders refer to the public land records frequently in the course of doing business, but many non-real estate folks seem to feel almost guilty and browsing through this information. No worry. It's public record. You're not spying.

Of course, if the idea of spying seems to have more intrigue for you, there's always the trash bag option. Kidding, of course!

Tree-lined Streets Welcome you to Crofton Area Neighborhoods

Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate (Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:33:41 -0500

Distinctive brick gates mark the main entrance into "Old" Crofton on Route 3 in Anne Arundel County, but what's beyond those gates? Well, here's your answer - Crawford Boulevard, the block-long tree-lined street that welcomes you into our community.

"OLD" CROFTON

"Old Crofton" is not the only local community with tree-lined streets, however. Take a look at these other neighborhoods in the Greater Crofton Area:

NANCARLES
An upscale community in Gambrills on Rt. 450

HALLMARK WOODS
A Gambrills community of detached homes on acre-plus lots

THE RIDGES
A Crownsville community of custom-built homes

HUNTINGTON WOODS
The entrance to a Gambrills community of custom-built homes

AVILA
A Davidsonville community of custom-built homes