As a born and raised Annapolitan Annapolis has always seemed such a pretty town to me. My grandparents and parents all owned and ran businesses downtown back in the Mom & Pop era of business owning. I would spend many a day walking down to the city dock to sit at the waters edge and watch the work boats. Something so calming and peaceful about doing that even at such a young age. Back then there was a 5 & dime on the corner, a grocery store down by ego alley, dress shops and shoe stores interlaced with furniture and crystal shops and the good ol Mom & Pop office supply store (my Dad's). And of course the Market House. Ahh the wonderful fishy smells waffing out as the doors opened and closed were smells of home to me.

Over time downtown Annapolis has changed. Gone are the Mom & Pops, gone are the work boats but the old buildings both commercial and residential have remained, beautifully remained.

As years passed the brick lined streets of old were restored, the power lines running up and down the streets were put underground and flower baskets were added instead. Old homes received facelifts by new owners and old buildings received the same by new tenants. Work boats were replaced by yachts and sailboats, city dock was extened to include a garden and a Kunta Kinde Memorial. As life continued into the 21st century Annapolis grew prettier each day.

Today Annapolis is a bustling city full of artistic talent, world class sailing events, boat shows, coffee shops and specialty stores. It has had its growing pains and businesses have come and gone especially this past year but Annapolis always rebounds and thrives. We must be doing something right as Forbes Traveler Magazine has listed Annapolis as one of America's prettiest towns once again.

About the Author- Martha Brown is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) whose passion is homes in the Annapolis MD area and surrounding communities. Her goal is to help her clients understand the real estate market and to then be able to make sound real estate decisions. Martha is a 3rd generation Annapolitan who writes about her experiences in and out of the real estate market. Her passion has carried over to her granddaughter, Nichole, who is her partner in business. Between the two of them they offer a wide and full range of real estate services that cover 4 counties bordering Annapolis MD. Martha has been in the real estate business for 17 years of which all have been associated with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., the largest independently owned real estate company in the Mid Atlantic.

Martha can be reached  at 800-735-5122 X5011 or Martha@TheRealEstate-Lady.com

To search for homes for sale in the Annapolis Md area or to see Martha's listings visit:

www.TheRealEstate-Lady.com

All photographs and/or written material and content produced by Martha Brown. All rights reserved and may not be re-produced or replicated without express written permission of Martha Brown, real estate agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Copyright 2009. Martha Brown