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Bars on the Windows

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Real Estate Agent with 410-935-5844 Office 634480

Bars on the Windows

That's right!  Bars are on the windows, just like a jail!  

The house is completely renovated.  It has new flooring an updated kitchen, updated baths, freshly painted walls, and so on.   And, yes, it has bars on the windows!  

Is this the latest amenity for houses in Baltimore County?  

First this is a safety hazard.  You may need to quickly exit and escape from the house if there is an emergency such as a fire.  Or, an emergency worker, such as a firefighter may need to use a window to enter the house to rescue an occupant.  

If these bars were covering a bedroom, it absolutely would be a code violation not to mention stupid.  

How does the advertisement go for selling a place like this?  This is your chance to live in a prison just like the criminals do.  

But this is not a jail, eventhough, you are held captive in your own home, while the criminals are outside roaming the streets or walking up to your front porch and stealing your deliveries.  

 

Comments(11)

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Karen Krzniak
Zenith Realty - Towson, MD

Ron,

It is absolutely pathetic.  The USA is the richest country in the world with the best opportunity to receive a good education, but there are still so many people who choose the path of crime that forces people to bar their windows in fear.

Mar 19, 2026 01:43 PM
Kathryn Sparks
Zenith Realty - Baltimore, MD

Ron,

Maybe all that we need to do is call crime a hoax and it will disappear.  You know, like covid, climate change, economic affordability, election interference, and so on.

Mar 19, 2026 01:48 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Security features can bring peace of mind, but safety and egress requirements should always come first.

Mar 19, 2026 02:44 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Ron, if these bars are on the front windows, sure indicates crime may be prevalent in the area, and deter buyers.

Mar 19, 2026 04:24 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Ron- My first thought was about safety. If a thug wants to get in, they'll find a way so it's better to make sure your family has a way to escape. Next...not a good selling feature at all. To me it says "Don't buy here...too much crime."

Mar 19, 2026 05:33 PM
Patricia Feager
Appraisal Review Board, Denton County, TX - Flower Mound, TX
Licensed to April 2027

I couldn't stand to live in a house with bars on windows. There are many reasons why and no reasons why I would buy a house with bars on windows. 

Mar 20, 2026 12:38 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Ron... nothing surprises me after 35 years in this business. If I had a listing like that I'd probably ask the seller to remove those bars before listing.

Mar 20, 2026 05:57 AM
Ron Trzcinski, 410-935-5844

Although the idea of bars on the windows disgusts me, it is not so much the fact that a house has bars as much as it the fact that there is enough crime to warrant it.  For the people who live in these neighborhoods, they too would prefer to not have the bars however crime and their inability to afford a better neighborhood limits their options.

Mar 20, 2026 05:31 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

There's no point in having an egress window if you can't use it!

Mar 20, 2026 06:53 AM
Adam Feinberg
Howard Hanna Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

In Manhattan, it's fairly common for ground floor apartments- despite being the safest large city in the nation. We install gates on the windows- which is fire code complaint. 

As an owner of a ground floor street facing apartments- I originally did add gates to my window- especially when I first moved into the apartment and the neighborhood was in the earliest stage of gentrifying. About 10 years back- I replaced my bedroom window- double insulated and double laminated- better for insulation, noise abatement, and yes- safer too allowing me the mental comfort knowing I could get rid of the gate. While someone could in theory smash their way in- it's going to take a lot of time and effort to get in- and capture a lot of attention in the process. 

Mar 20, 2026 11:18 AM
Ron Trzcinski, 410-935-5844

Typically to be fire code compliant, the bars would need a quick release mechanism, without a key, that allows for the gate to open fully from the inside.  In some jurisdictions, they have a further requirement whereby the dwelling must have a fire sprinkler system.  The quick release mechanism allows for the occupant to escape, however if it were necessary, it does not allow for an emergency worker to enter.  That all being true, I had a 3 story multi-unit where a  VA appraiser called out the bars on the windows as a violation that needed to he addressed.

Mar 20, 2026 12:55 PM
Adam Feinberg

Ron Trzcinski, 410-935-5844 - VA Loans are extremely rare in Manhattan. I found it amusing when one of the bankers I am friendly with did his first VA loan in 20+ years in the business a couple of years ago. Around 65% of all sales here are all cash, and for those financing- it's often portfolio lending rather than any type of agency lending.  

Mar 20, 2026 02:35 PM
Ron Trzcinski, 410-935-5844
410-935-5844 Office - Baltimore, MD

I suppose the rarity of VA loans in Manhattan is related to the high number of cooperatives, non-conforming condos, and higher prices.

Mar 20, 2026 05:21 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Oh, my - NO! I could not do the bars on the windows for anything.

Mar 27, 2026 07:58 PM
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