Maryland Real Estate Blog

Piney Orchard Condo for Active Adults

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:23:52 -0500

Trade In Your Lawn Mower for Swim Goggles

8605 Wandering Fox Trail, #407, Odenton, MD 21113 View Map

You've earned the right to experience the "active-adult" lifestyle, with someone else taking care of exterior maintenance while you enjoy the community amenities. When you live in Cedar Ridge, these include a private clubhouse, fitness center and heated swimming pool. You'll also have access to Piney Orchard amenities such as the walking trails and indoor pool.

Your new home will impress friends and relatives alike, with its beautiful crown molding, arched doorways, decorative pillars, electric fireplace, and tray ceilings. Rooms are spacious enough to accommodate your house-size furniture, and you'll love the easy-living lifestyle.

To see this beautiful home, contact Margaret Woda today.

Details

Asking Price:

$368,900

Sq. Feet:

1963

Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

Subdivision:

Cedar Ridge at Piney Orchard

Year Built:

2003

Property Amenities

Community Amenities

Contact Info

Margaret Woda
REALTOR, Associate Broker

Main 410-451-1900
Dir 301-346-2923
Email | Website

MARC - An Alternative for Anne Arundel County Commuters

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:58:50 -0500

Commuting from Anne Arundel County to Washington, D.C. or Baltimore is not limited to driving your car or taking METRO. In fact, MARC is the commuting method of choice for many Anne Arundel County residents who live near BWI or in the greater Odenton area including Crofton, Gambrills, Fort Meade and other nearby communities.

The history of Odenton as a railroad town dates back to 1840 when the Annapolis & Elkridge Railroad was built across this sparsely populated area of Anne Arundel County. Then, when the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad was constructed in 1868 to connect Baltimore and Washington, a train station was built in Anne Arundel County and named in honor of Oden Bowie - a former governor of Maryland and the railroad's president. A telegraph office, church, school, post office and two stores followed and tomato canning became the first industry in the area, several decades before the Federal Government acquired land to build Fort George G. Meade nearby. From a population of about 100 people in those early days, Odenton has grown to well over 20,000 residents today - and most of those who aren't employed at neighboring Fort Meade or NSA are commuters.

That same Odenton rail station is now a busy stop on the Penn Line of the "Maryland Area Regional Commuter Train Service" (MARC), operating on weekdays and a few holidays to transport those commuters to D.C. or Baltimore.

Other stops on this Line that runs through Odenton include New Carrollton, Seabrook, Bowie State University, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (also in Anne Arundel County), Halethorpe, West Baltimore, Martin Airport, Edgewood, Aberdeen and Perryville.

At Washington's Union Station, MARC riders from Anne Arundel County can transfer to METRO's Red Line; the Red Line then intercepts with Metro's Green/Yellow Lines at Gallery Place and their Orange/Blue Lines at Metro Center. In Baltimore, Anne Arundel County MARC riders can transfer to Amtrak at Penn Station and continue on to Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.

MARC reports that "The Penn line is the most traveled of all three MARC Lines, boasting an average daily ridership of approximately 20,000 commuters (Oct 2007)." I'm guessing that has something to do with the fact it's the only MARC line which runs throughout the day, whereas the Brunswick and Camden Lines operate only during morning and evening commuting hours. (For a map of all three MARC lines, you can click on this link.)

PARKING: Free parking is one of the benefits enjoyed by Odenton MARC commuters. I often drive through the parking lot with clients to show them this commuting option, and we've always found empty parking spaces. In fact, this photo was taken in that parking lot during the middle of a business day.

The MARC station at BWI could be more convenient for some Anne Arundel County riders, who also enjoy free parking if they participate in the Ticket By Mail Program. For more information, visit www.commuterdirect.com.

COST: For a complete chart of MARC fares on the Penn Line, check their fare schedule online. As of today, 9/7/08, the one-way fare from the MARC Station in Odenton to either Union Station in Washington or Penn Station in Baltimore is $5.00. When you consider today's cost of gasoline (and parking once you arrive downtown) or the cost of Metro AND parking, it's easy to see why so many Anne Arundel County residents choose MARC for their commute to work.

Choosing an Active Adult Community in Piney Orchard

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:40:29 -0500

Whether you're relocating to Anne Arundel County for a second career, or trading in your current home for an "active adult" lifestyle, you have many nearby options.

You'll find that Anne Arundel County Rolls out the Red Carpet for Active Adults, and there is no shortage of options. To help narrow down the list and focus on the communities that are right for you, I suggest these five steps:

1. Select a location or area to focus your search. What do you want to be near? Work... friends or family... shopping?

2. Make a list of your "wants" - the features and amenities you would have in your next home and community if price were no object. For example, how many bedrooms and baths? Fireplace? Garage? Community facilities and activities?

3. Separate your "needs" from your "wants" by identifying the features and amenities you can't live without. Focus on "needs" first! Ask yourself, could you live without a third bedroom or fireplace? How important is a community fitness center and pool?

4. Determine your price range based on cash investment up front, monthly mortgage payment, and community fees. Do you plan to sell your home or cash in some investments? What's included in the community fee(s)?

5. What will you do about your current home? Sell it, keep it as an investment to rent out, live in it part time (if you're a "snowbird," for example).

Since I recently listed a beautiful 3-bedroom penthouse condo in the active adult community of Cedar Ridge at Piney Orchard, you can look forward to a future blog with all the details about it. In the meantime, here's a 30-second video about the community:

Urgent - If You Own Property in Anne Arundel County Maryland -

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:24:44 -0500

I just learned about a hearing that's going on right now before Anne Arundel County Council in Annapolis. Even if these bills don't affect you directly, they do affect you indirectly if you own property here.

Bill 66-08 chips away at private property ownership rights in this county, and your property could be next! It takes 50 feet off EVERY property that backs to a park or trail - without any compensation.

Bill 71-08 is a HUGE increase in Impact Fees - those are the fees that builders, developers, (their buyers... maybe you...) and homeowners building an addition to their home pay for County infrastructure improvements. In a down market, when home sellers and owners, plus the entire construction industry in this county, are suffering financially, this is no time to impose new fees.

County residents should contact the office of their council member:

Cathleen M. Vitale - District 5 (Chairman)
Assistant - Diane Jennings
44 Calvert Street, 1st Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1401
Email: cvitale@aacounty.org
Email: d.jennings@aacounty.org

Edward R. Reilly - District 7 (Vice Chairman)
Assistant - Joyce Maloney
44 Calvert Street, 1st Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1401
Email: ereilly@aacounty.org
Email: jmaloney@aacounty.org

Daryl Jones - District 1
Assistant - Linda Harris
44 Calvert Street, 1st Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1401
Email: daryl.jones@aacounty.org
Email: linda.harris@aacounty.org

C. Edward Middlebrooks - District 2
Assistant - Rose Brooks
44 Calvert Street, 1st Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1401
Email: emiddlebrooks@aacounty.org
Email: rbrooks@aacounty.org

Ronald C. Dillon - District 3
Assistant - Beth Jones
44 Calvert Street, 1st Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1401
Email: rdillon@aacounty.org
Email: beth.jones@aacounty.org

James Benoit - District 4
Assistant - Veronica Jagoe
44 Calvert Street, 1st Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1401
Email: james.benoit@aacounty.org
Email: veronica.jagoe@aacounty.org

Joshua J. Cohen - District 6
Assistant - Gail Smith
44 Calvert Street, 1st Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1401
Email: joshua.cohen@aacounty.org
Email: gail.smith@aacounty.org

Please do this tonight or tomorrow. Let your council member know you oppose both of these bills which negatively impact Anne Arundel County private property rights and property values. It's important!

They Love Me After All - and it Feels So Good!

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:55:52 -0500

No matter how long you've been in this business, nothing touches you quite like the sound of a former client's voice saying "I want to list my home with you." It means they really were happy with your service... they know YOU made the difference... they do have confidence in you getting the job done in this market... they even like you! I had one of those calls yesterday, and I couldn't be more pleased.

Well, actually I could be more pleased. It turns out they got away for a while, most likely when I was in management and stopped mailing to my former clients. Since I helped them sell one home and buy another, they sold that home and bought two more locally without me - boy, did I blow it!

But they're back now, even if I am their second choice after listing for 274 days with another agent. Ouch!

So their call was actually a bittersweet message that communicated this: You blew it in the past by taking us for granted... BUT we were happy with your service... we know YOU made the difference... we do have confidence in you getting the job done in this market... we even like you!

I'm going to focus on the SWEET, not the "bitter" - after all, I'm really looking forward to seeing these sellers today because they're nice people and we had two great real estate experiences together in the past. This is going to be #3, even if the market is not favorable to selling a luxury condo in a 55+ community. That typically requires the buyer to sell their current home, but I'll just have to focus on the relocation market.

These sellers taught me a valuable lesson about keeping in touch. Or should I say "reminded" me of something I already know and preach to other agents. Repeat business is not automatic, even if you earn it! 'Guess I need to re-examine my business plan as it relates to repeat business, make some changes, and implement them right away.

By the way, take a look at their Piney Orchard Condo for Active Adults.

3 Simple Steps to Owning a Home in Anne Arundel County, Maryland (LOCALISM FEATURED)

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:22:49 -0500

Included in Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, and the U.S. Naval Academy.

ATTENTION HOME BUYERS!

No need for you to worry about the countless details involved in finding and buying a home in Anne Arundel County, Maryland - It's MY job to handle them on your behalf.

Yet I know you have questions about what to expect, so I created this handy reference guide for you.

When you work with me, the home-buying process boils down to these 3 simple steps:

1. Pre-Purchase Consulting
2. Shopping for your Home
3. Buying your Home.

Are you ready to get started?

1. PRE-PURCHASE CONSULTING

Before we actually go out to look at homes, we'll invest some time together so you feel confident about the entire home-purchase process and your choice of me as your REALTOR®.

You'll share with me some information about what you're looking for in a home, your hobbies and special interests, your concerns about location, transportation, schools, etc. You'll tell me what you do and don't like about your current home, and show me photos of homes that catch your eye. Together, we'll identify your "wants" and "needs".
You'll share with me some details about your financial situation, including your income, debts, and cash on-hand. You'll tell me what amount you expect to spend on a monthly mortgage payment, and how much cash you wish to invest "up-front". Together we'll determine the price-range of your next home.
I'll explain financing options that suit your situation. Together, we'll choose a local lender so you can make application right away.
I'll provide information about real estate customs and laws, including penalties for non-compliance. Together, we'll review brochures such as "What Everyone Should Know About Equal Opportunity in Housing" and standard disclosure forms.
I'll explain the relationships between home buyers, sellers and agents.

2. SHOPPING FOR YOUR HOME

Now that you've decided what you're looking for and what you can afford in a home, we can get started.

Using the Metropolitan Regional Information Services (MRIS®) database and other sources, I'll research homes that are currently available for sale. Together, we'll choose homes that meet your requirements.
I'll make appointments for us to inspect the selected homes at a convenient time, and I'll point out their assets and drawbacks as we go through them.
When you see a home you like, I'll estimate your closing costs and monthly payment.
I'll conduct the necessary research to determine answers to your questions about the homes and communities we inspect, and provide them to you in a timely manner.
If none of the homes we inspect satisfy your requirements, we'll discuss options such as adjusting your "wants" and "needs" or simply waiting for other homes to come on the market. And we'll begin this step again another day-as many times as it takes to find you the right home.

3. BUYING YOUR HOME

When you choose a home, I'll represent your best interests in negotiations and follow-up.

Using standard forms, I'll prepare a Contract of Sale and all related paperwork on your behalf, and explain your rights and obligations to you. (However, keep in mind that I'm not an attorney, and my explanations are not a "legal opinion")
I'll advocate strongly for you with the property owner and the owner's agent, and help you evaluate any counter-offer.
After you and the property owner reach agreement and initial any changes to the Contract of Sale, I'll assist you in selecting a settlement attorney and home inspectors.
I'll accompany you to the home inspection and pre-settlement inspection, and notify the property owner of any discrepancies.
I'll follow-up with the property owner, lender, appraiser, surveyor, settlement company, inspector and others to assure that all contract conditions and all deadlines are satisfied.
In the meantime, there are some things you need to do: Contact your insurance agent to make arrangements for a hazard insurance policy, confirm that you have provided all requested documentation to your lender, notify all utility companies, and obtain a certified or cashier's check in the amount estimated by your lender.
I'll accompany you to settlement, review the settlement sheet, and advocate strongly for you if there are any disagreements. Then, I'll proudly hand you the keys to your next home.

Whether you're relocating around the world or just moving across town, I'll handle the details so you don't have to. I consider it a privilege to help you through each of these steps so together we can create a real estate success story for you and your family!

PHOTO: Istockphoto.com
VIDEO: MWoda

3 Simple Steps to Owning a Home in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Copyright 2008. Margaret Woda. All rights reserved.

Remind Me Again... Why Did I Volunteer for This?

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:47:07 -0500

After 18 straight hours at the computer, laying out the format and outline for my garden club yearbook, all I can say is "What was I thinking? Why did I volunteer for this?" Yes, I've had since March, when I first "volunteered", and there's no excuse for starting this project two weeks before it has to be distributed at the first meeting of the year. I suspect there are many more long days and nights ahead of me this week. (If you don't see much blogging from me this week, you'll know why.)

What's the point of this blog post, you may ask... Well, somehow I don't think I'm the only one around here who has a tough time saying "NO" when asked to take on a task. It's too late for me, but let this serve as a reminder to ask yourself "Why?" BEFORE you volunteer to be a room-mom for your child's class this year, or any other activity.

If you have a good answer to "Why?" - go for it! Right now, I'm not sure I do... But I can finish this major project. I think I can, I think I can, I WILL!

The Copyright Question Through a Different Lens - Sean Locke

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:02:43 -0500

The power of blog comments... that's what this is all about.

Let me tell you about photographer Sean Locke, who commented on the post I wrote earlier this week - Is it Time for a New Practice on ActiveRain? What makes his comment "special" among MANY great comments is that his comment comes through a different lens, from the perspective of a photographer whose work can be purchased on www.istockphoto.com.

In case you missed it, I threw out a proposal that ActiveRain bloggers start citing sources for photos and images they use. I asked for discussion and got some.

There seems to be overall agreement in the comments that the best photos and images to use are our own, and that citing the source does not make it "okay" to use other people's work - a license or written permission is required. (Assuming you have a license, I think it's the courteous thing to do even when doing so is not a condition of the license.) And there were some warnings about paying careful attention to "terms of service" of each license, including snippets from the terms of service for some stock photo providers.

If you commented early, you missed Sean's comment posted somewhere around #60, in response to the questions I asked him through his blog, Sean Locke Digital Imagery.

I won't re-type Sean's comment here, because it would be better for you to read in its entirety. You see, ActiveRainers approach this matter as users of stock photography, and Sean has a different lens - that of a photographer whose photos are licensed through istockphoto.com (my favorite source of photos other than my own trusty digital camera).

I will, however, pass on this recommendation he made: photoattorney.com, a blog by Carolyn E. Wright, an expert on the topic of photos and copyrights. After reading a few of her posts, I quickly subscribed to the RSS Feed for her blog, as I did earlier today for Sean's blog. I suspect anything we learn from Carolyn or Sean will be more reliable than most of what we read on ActiveRain.

Sean signed up for ActiveRain before commenting, and I hope he pops in with a blog every now and then to share with us his perspective and his photos on Istockphoto.com. I've used a number of them myself, and you may recognize them when you look at his portfolio.

Thanks, Sean - a look at this issue through YOUR lens really enriches the conversation!

The Copyright Question Through a Different Lens - Sean Locke
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Margaret Woda

Is it Time for a New Practice on ActiveRain?

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:16:00 -0500

There's so much good discussion about copyright, violations, and sources of photos and images...

If you've been around ActiveRain a while, you've probably read how Lenn Harley diligently pursues in court anyone who dares use her copyright maps. Some have pointed out the "Terms of Service" for various commercial sources of stock and customizable images which seem to prohibit their use for commercial purposes (why else would anyone want them?). And others have shared their favorite sources of photos and images, which they believe to be "okay" if users license the image or photo from the source and don't just snatch it off the web.

Yet we continue to see ActiveRain members blatantly post copyright photos and images in their blogs, even with the "copyright" symbol emblazoned right across them. MLS photos are a good example.

It occurs to me that citing the source of our images and photos at the bottom of each post might be appropriate. After all, the print media usually cites the source of their photos. Why don't we?

I'm not talking about a new ActiveRain official policy, I'm just suggesting that members start posting their photo and image sources. If a few of us do, maybe others will follow our lead. It might just cause someone to pause and think twice about their photos and images - perhaps choose NOT to post any they haven't taken themselves or obtained a license to use.

Just an idea...

P.S. - It might even be a good idea for ActiveRain to provide a box for this (as they do for tags) that pops up automatically when any image is included in a post. I leave it up to them whether that would be required or optional.

Discussion, anyone?

EDIT: 8/21/08 - Be sure to read the comment below from istockphoto contributor Sean Locke for his perspective on this matter. Follow-up post: The Copyright Question Through a Different Lens - Sean Locke

IMAGE: Istockphoto
Effect created using Lunapic

Is it Time for a New Practice on ActiveRain
Copyright 2008. Margaret Woda. All rights reserved.

Anne Arundel County Church Picnic - Mark Your Calendar

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:16:18 -0500

Elks Camp Barrett, in Crownsville, wil be the site for this year's Parish picnic on September 7.

Be sure to mark your calendar if you're a parishioner at Holy Family in Davidsonville, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Edgewater, or Our Lady of Sorrows in West River.

Mass begins at 11:30, followed by fun for the whole family including the camp's pool, playground, swings, basketball, volleyball, and more.

PHOTO: Istockphoto

There's No Time Like the Present

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:58:44 -0500

There's no time like BACK-TO-SCHOOL season for real estate agents, lenders, and stagers to stock up on supplies.

Yesterday I made my annual pilgrimage to the local K-Mart to buy up all the plastic reusable envelopes they had in blue and clear. This is the only time of year when they carry these nice letter-size see-through folders with a Velcro closure.

This practice began a few years ago, when I purchased a dozen of them for my FSBO PACKAGES so they wouldn't blatantly shout REALTOR. My goal: to stand out from other agents who might give them just a personal brochure, company advertising, or photo-copies of articles. Instead, I gave them this folder packed full of brochures and helpful material... Does the term "content-rich" sound familiar? That's always been my MO.

Then I found myself removing the contents and "borrowing" the plastic envelopes to use in lieu of my company folders. When I went back to buy more, they didn't have any exactly like these and the ones they did have were double the price.

August is the only time of year you can buy a large supply of these envelopes, so stock up if you like them; the price ranges from 99 cents (full price) to two for a dollar (on sale) - in fact, about the same or lower price than purchasing company folders. If you like this idea and you're gonna get some, remember... there's no time like the present. You probably won't be able to find them in another month or two.

PHOTO: MWoda

There's No Time Like the Present
Copyright 2008. Margaret Woda. All rights reserved.

ActiveRainers Featured in Today's Washington Post

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:38:20 -0500

Congrataulations Bob Carney and Frank Llosa - You're world-famous!

The featured article by Sione Baribeau in the real estate section of today's WASHINGTON POST starts out...

Jeanne Bobofchak, 31, was looking for a real estate agent, but she wanted to avoid the awkwardness of choosing among her friends recommendations. So she went online and found agent Bob Carney's blog, FocusOnFrederick.com.

The information on the Frederick community was detailed, the comments from former clients were glowing, and Carney seemed as if he would be fun to work with.

Although Bob does focus more on this blog than his ActiveRain blog these days, I first met Bob Carney on ActiveRain and he's always been one of my favorites. Not only that, I've found him accessible both by email and phone when I've had a question, and he's high on the list of ActiveRainers I'd like to meet personally.

Congratulations, Bob, on all the glowing things your client and the article said about you!

But that's not all! As I continued to read through the article, another ActiveRain name popped out at me, Frank Llosa! I know him, he sent me a referral through ActiveRain. His client, Andrew Yeow, had this to say about Frank:

When I read Frank's stuff, I was really impressed by what he knew. I realized he was in Northern Virginia and that sealed the deal.

Congratulations, Frank, on that testimonial and the wonderful description of you, your "Trust me, I'm a Realtor" shirt, and your blog about "sucky listing agents".

When I first received that referral from Frank, I check out his ActiveRain blog and bio, and I knew I'd be on the hook with this referral. Messing it up would not be tolerated! Hmmm.... now that I'm back in Maryland from my 6-week trip, I'd better call those people this weekend! Frank, you're also high on that list of ActiveRainers I'd like to meet personally -Especially now that you're a world-famous blogger.

Be sure to read this article about Web 2.0 in its entirety at Making Connections: Web 2.0 Creates New Ways for Agents, Home Shoppers to find each other

... and maybe click on the links for their ActiveRain profile pages to send them a "Congrats!" note to let them know how pleased we are for them.

PHOTOS: ActiveRain

ActiveRainers Featured in Today's Washington Post
Copyright 2008. Margaret Woda. All rights reserved.

Detour to Crofton - Kentucky, not Maryland

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:55:52 -0500

Thinking of relocating to Crofton Maryland? Don't get it confused with Crofton Kentucky, because there's a world of difference!

En route home from Texas last week, my husband and I decided to take a 160-mile detour off our route across Kentucky to visit another Crofton, one of three in the United States (Kentucky, Maryland and Nebraska). Unfortunately, we didn't get there 'til nearly dusk so our photos aren't the greatest, but you'll see Crofton Kentucky and Crofton Maryland have very little in common.

______________________________________

There's very much of a rural small-town feel to Crofton Kentucky, with a single blinking stop-light. And yet, there are 14 places of worship.

In Crofton Maryland, as you drive into the community you see the Village Green with its shops and professional offices, Crofton Country Club with its large clubhouse, Olympic-size pool and championship golf course that winds through the community, and two of the community's five places of worship - all within a block.

______________________________________

Crofton Diner is located on Main Street in Crofton Kentucky, one of six dining out options listed on the town's website. A pretty impressive number, I think, for a population that numbered under 1000 people in the 2000 census.

Crofton Maryland's population, by contrast, was over 20,000 in the same census. Sly Horse Tavern, located on Crofton Maryland's Village Green, is one of our dining out options.

______________________________________

Crofton Kentucky does not have a library, but it has a Post Office and Fire House in the downtown area. There are two schools, Crofton Elementary and Crofton Amish Parochial School.

In Crofton Maryland, we too have a Post Office - plus 3 elementary schools and a middle school. Pictured here is the Crofton (Maryland) Library.

______________________________________

Other interesting facts:

Crofton Kentucky covers an area that is only .6 sq. miles, whereas Crofton Maryland is 5 sq. miles.
Income in Crofton Kentucky averages $25,625; in Crofton Maryland, it is $75,046.
Average age in Crofton Kentucky is 37; it is 35 in Crofton Maryland.
Crofton Kentucky's average family size is 2.37; in Crofton Maryland, it's 2.69.

What about leisure time, you may ask.

The only references to leisure time in Crofton Kentucky on the town's website are a link to Gordon Park - featuring tennis courts, a driving range, picnic pavilions, basketball court and an air-conditioned building - and a link to the announcement about squirrel hunting season, including a place for residents to post photos of their catches.

In case you're interested, the season opens this weekend, August 16, and runs through February 28, except November 8 and 9. (???) There is a daily limit of 6, with a possession limit of 12. The announcement includes a reminder to request permission before hunting on someone else's land and a reminder to always treat a gun as if it were loaded.

There are plenty of squirrels on Crofton Maryland's two golf courses, but no hunting allowed! In addition to golf, there is swimming, fishing, and tennis, as well as several parks and athletic fields. Commercial recreational opportunities include Skate Zone, Capital Raceway, and Crofton Go-Cart Raceway.

Not to mention we're less than a half hour from the Chesapeake Bay and its numerous tributaries for boating, fishing and beaching.

Obviously, I'm partial to Crofton Maryland - that's where I live and work. Yet I'm sure most Crofton Kentucky residents wouldn't trade their town or lifestyle for ours. The world would be a very boring place if we all liked the same things, and if every community and person looked alike.

That being said... I hope you enjoyed this little detour. It was probably the highlight of our drive home to Crofton, Maryland.

If you're curious about Crofton Real Estate - Crofton Kentucky AND Crofton Maryland - be sure to visit www.FocusOnCrofton.com tomorrow, August 15, when I'll show a comparison of what you can buy for $280,000 in the two Croftons.

PHOTOS: Squirrel by Istockphoto; all others by MWoda

Detour to Crofton - Kentucky, not Maryland
Copyright 2008. Margaret Woda. All rights reserved.

How to Blog for Leads on ActiveRain

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:51:22 -0500

How do you get leads from your blogs? I am missing it for sure.

This is the comment Matt Stahl made on one of my recent blog posts. He is not the first to ask me this question, but his comment actually triggered this post today.

There are many successful lead-generating members (check out ActiveRain Block Party to read some of their success stories), and I'm hoping some of them will add their own tips in the comments. In the meantime, I put together this checklist for you:

7 TIPS FOR GENERATING REAL ESTATE LEADS THROUGH BLOGGING:

1. Write good content that provides information consumers want to know. (William Johnson's Content is King)

2. Blog consistently. (My The Second Commandment of Blogging (Learned the Hard Way) )

3. Identify targeted keywords and use them in your title, content and tags. (Katerina Gasset's Long Tail Keywords...)

4. Make your post attractive by including white space, font variation, and images. (Sarah Cooper's Stage Your Post)

5. Create an appealing and information-packed profile or "about me" page to work in tandem with your blog. (My What Makes These ActiveRain Profiles Winners?)

6. Write summary posts that provide links to several posts on related topics. (Jo Soss's Relocation Package)

7. Promote your blog (and let your blog demonstrate your brilliance).

If you do these things and let your charming personality show through, your blog will generate leads. Converting those leads and closing them is another matter, and that's a topic for a different day.

By the way, I've included a screen shot of today's Google search for Crofton Maryland Real Estate. You might find it interesting to see that my Focus On Crofton blog appears above my ActiveRain blog, yet it is simply a snippet with a link to my ActiveRain post. These are the only listings for an individual agent on page 1 of results; the others are corporate websites or blogs.

'Hope this helps answer your question about blogging for leads on ActiveRain.

IMAGE: Screenshot from Google

Is Your Crofton Home in this Video?

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:18:09 -0500

If your Crofton home is pictured in this video about Curb Appeal, you have just won a $25 gift card to Homestead Gardens in Davidsonvlle.

Just contact me before August 20, and I'll deliver it to your home. The homes of winners will be recognized for their curb appeal in a blog appearing at Focus On Crofton later this month.

This video is based on the presentation I made to Crofton Village Garden Club in May. I hope you enjoy your home's "moment of fame" and your $25 gift card - just in time to pick up some beautiful fall mums at Homestead Gardens!

Crofton Maryland Real Estate Update - July 2008

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:38:35 -0500

Crofton Maryland Real Estate real estate sales were down almost 40% in July from the same month last year, based on dollar volume. The number of units sold was down about 37%. Of course, that means the "average sold price" was down in July, too, by 3.9% from the same month last year. Ironically, the "median sold price" was actually up by 3.15%.

While that's not much of a drop from July last year to this, the average sold price fell almost $30,000 from last month and the median sold price by more than 42% since June. But don't panic... This does not mean the value of any one house has dropped by the same percentage - it means more lower-priced homes are selling than higher-priced homes, which affects both the average and median sold prices.

If you're a Crofton homeowner, thinking of selling, I guess the bottom line to all this is How long will it take to sell my Crofton home? Based on the fact that 34 of 210 available homes sold in Crofton last month, it would take about 6 months to sell the remaining inventory of 176 homes - assuming there are no new listings in that time. This, of course, is purely theoretical, because there will be new listings and some owners will take their homes off the market.

What can you do to become one of those successful home sellers? In a word, PRICE! Homes that are priced correctly for their features, size, location and condition DO sell. If your home has been on the market for a few months (or even several weeks) and not yet sold, you can't rely upon the estimate of market value received from your agent 3 or 4 months ago - it may have changed since then.

If you're a Crofton homebuyer, this is a good time to buy. But again - a drop in average or median sold price does NOT mean you can buy a home at a hugely discounted price. As I mentioned before, it simply means that more lower-priced (probably smaller) homes sold last month. Most Crofton homes are well priced - certainly within 5-10% of their final sale price.

A lot has been said and written about the tight mortgage market, but the news is not all bad for borrowers. Most Crofton homes are priced within the allowable maximum for FHA, a loan program which is widely available.

By the way, if you'd like to see what's happening with real estate in your immediate neighborhood, just click on this link to receive a MARKET SNAPSHOT by email, usually within 30 minutes.

Chart: Focus on Crofton

YOUR ONLINE RELOCATION PACKAGE FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND

Concert at Fort George G. Meade: Tchaikovsky's Overture to 1812

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:02:07 -0500

If you haven't yet discovered the Summer Concert Series at Fort George G. Meade, let me suggest you head on over to the Fort Meade Pavilion this weekend (August 16) to hear the Army Concert Band & Soldiers' Chorus. They'll be performing Tchaikovsky's Overture to 1812, complete with Cannons, in the final performance of this year's series.

The last time I heard this performed, we were at Wolf Trap - it was magnificent, but it was a lot more expensive.

You see, the Summer Concert Series at Fort George G. Meade is free and open to the public. You can afford to bring the whole family - expose your kids to the classics! And, just like Wolf Trap, you can bring your own comfy lawn chairs or blankets. It starts at 7 p.m.

But this concert series is not only less expensive than Wolf Trap, the Kennedy Center and other concert venues in the Washington - Baltimore area, it's CLOSER!

DIRECTIONS:

From D.C. - Take MD-295 N towards BALTIMORE to US 175 EAST. Follow 175 EAST approximately 2.5 miles to Fort Meade on the right, and use the Llewellyn Avenue Gate entrance.

From Baltimore - Take MD-295 S towards WASHINGTON to US 175 EAST. Follow 175 EAST approximately 2.5 miles to Fort Meade on the right, and use the Llewellyn Avenue Gate entrance.

From Annapolis- Take I-97 to Rt. 32 towards COLUMBIA. Take 175 WEST to Fort Meade on the left, and use the Llewellyn Avenue Gate entrance.

Relocating to the Washington-Baltimore area? Be sure to check out...

Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Photo: Fort Meade Happenings

The Jazz Ambassadors at Fort Meade Tonight

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 07:41:17 -0500

Whether Fort Meade is your neighbor, your employer, or your duty station, you'll want to be there tonight at 7 p.m. (August 9, 2008)

The Army's fabulous JAZZ AMBASSADORS are performing at the Fort Meade Pavilion. This concert is open to the public, and there is no cost for parking or attendance. Just bring your own comfy lawn chairs or a blanket. The entire family is welcome (but not your pets).

If you're not familiar with The Jazz Ambassadors, you're in for a treat. This 19-member touring orchestra is part of the Army Field Band, and they literally tour the world to showcase America's own art form - Jazz. Expect to hear your favorite contemporary jazz and jazz standards, plus some pop tunes, dixieland, patriotic music... maybe even some swing, bebop, and Latin music. The evening promises to be a lot of fun - and the price is right!

This performance is the second in the Summer Band Concert series. Next week, August 16, The Concert Band & Soldiers' Chorus will perform Tchaikovsky's Overture to 1812 with Cannons. Again, it is free and open to the public.

DIRECTIONS:

From D.C. - Take MD-295 N towards BALTIMORE to US 175 EAST. Follow 175 EAST approximately 2.5 miles to Fort Meade on the right, and use the Llewellyn Avenue Gate entrance.

From Baltimore - Take MD-295 S towards WASHINGTON to US 175 EAST. Follow 175 EAST approximately 2.5 miles to Fort Meade on the right, and use the Llewellyn Avenue Gate entrance.

From Annapolis- Take I-97 to Rt. 32 towards COLUMBIA. Take 175 WEST to Fort Meade on the left, and use the Llewellyn Avenue Gate entrance.

Relocating to the Washington-Baltimore area? Be sure to check out...

Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Photo: Istockphoto

30 Minutes to Andrews AFB - Home for Rent

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:22:10 -0500

If you're eager to find a home that's away from the hustle and bustle around Andrews AFB, but still within about 30-40 minutes, check out this home.

731 Mallard Drive is near Rockhold Creek in North Deale, in a relatively quiet neighborhood with a rural atmosphere. Children will attend Anne Arundel County Schools.

For more information, contact Margaret Woda at RE/MAX Vision - 410-451-1900 or mwoda@remax.net.

Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County

Resources for Davidsonville Newbies

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:14:31 -0500

'Just bought a Davidsonville home, settlement is over, the moving truck has come and gone... now what?

Unpacking and putting things away seems like a good place to start, but procrastination rears its ugly head... So you're off to the store - 'Gotta find some new ways to organize your clutter. If you don't do it when you move in and put things away, when will you?

If only there were a Container Store nearby, but there's not. Target, Home Goods, K-Mart and Walmart are probably your best bet unless you're military and have access to shopping at Fort George G. Meade, the USNA, or Andrews AFB.

Target - 4600 Mitchellville Rd., Bowie 20716. From Rt. 424/214, go West on Rt. 214, North on Rt. 3, Left on Rt. 197, and Right on Mitchellville Rd. Target will be on the left at the end.

Home Goods - 2618 Chapel Lake Dr., Gambrills, 21054. Go North on Rt. 3 'til you see Villages at Waugh Chapel on the left; Home Goods is nearly straight ahead, at the end of the road.

K-Mart - 1647 Crofton Center, Crofton 21114. From Rt. 424/214, go northwest on Rt. 424 to the intersection of Rt. 3 and Rt. 424.

Walmart - 3300 Crain Highway, Mitchellville 20716. From Rt. 424/214, go West on Rt. 214, North on Rt. 3 to Walmart on the Left.

You may be looking for more heavy-duty storage and organization options - Lowe's and Home Depot are not far. From 424/214, go West on Rt. 214 to Rt. 3; North to Rt. 197, Left one block to Michellville Rd., Right one block to Lowe's. To reach Home Depot from 424/214, continue past Rt. 197, and you'll see Home Depot on the right at the entrance to the Bowie Baysox Stadium.

Two other Home Depots are located in Annapolis, as well as a Best Buy on the opposite side of Route 450 from Home Depot.

If you get the urge to pick up some accessories for your new home, you'll find a Pier One in two of these locations - in the same shopping center as Home Goods and the same shopping center as Target. A 3rd Pier One store is located in Annapolis, at the Intersection of Rt. 450 and Riva Road.

In fact, there's a Haverty's Furniture in Bowie, located between Target and Pier One, if you need (or want) some furniture. If a new bed is on your shopping list, there are a number of mattress stores - it's hard to go anywhere without passing one.

If you're new to the Davidsonville area, feel free to contact me with questions about other resources in the area. After helping my daughter move into a new home in July, I'm very familiar with the trials and tribulations new homeownesr face when they start unpacking and trying to get settled.

Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Photo: Istockphoto

Why Home Sellers Should Offer a Warranty

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:12:22 -0500

Remember the Avis Rental Car ad "We try harder because we have to" - That's what comes to mind when I think about today's real estate market.

When this ad campaign was first launched in 1962, Avis was an unprofitable wannabe, while Hertz was the rental car leader. Within a year, Avis began to generate a profit and, by 1966, their market share had increased from 11% to a whopping 35%. The rest, as they say, is history!

It was a good slogan, but Avis didn't just talk about trying harder - they actually did it! In fact, before they even launched the "We Try Harder" campaign, they set out to overhaul their customer service and improve their product. Now there's a timeless plan for improving business and increasing sales, if I ever heard one!

In today's real estate market, "We try harder" is a practice that both home sellers and real estate professionals should adopt to differentiate themselves and their homes from the competition.

One strategy for "trying harder" might be to offer a home warranty so prospective buyers will have peace of mind that is just not available with other homes or listings for sale that don't have a warranty.

The reason is clear: Because of today's tightened loan criteria, many buyers are using all or most of their available cash to purchase a home. That's why they want a home in good condition that won't require expensive updating or repairs - buyers simply won't have much cash left after settlement, now that down payment assistance programs have been legislated away and 95% conventional loans have disappeared.

A home warranty that protects home buyers from expensive repairs or replacements of all major appliances and systems could mean the difference between a sale or not because home buyers want these benefits:

Protection of all major appliances and systems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week... 365 days a year!
Coverage of all major appliances and systems, regardless of age, make or model.
Repair or replacement at minimal cost to the buyer (a small deductible).

However, buyers are not the only ones to benefit when sellers offer a home warranty. Just look at these figures from independent surveys, showing that a warranty helps sellers get more money and sell more quickly:

8 out of 10 people prefer to buy a home that DOES have a warranty. (Gallup Poll)
Homes with a warranty sell 50% faster. (National Home Warranty Association)
Homes with a warranty sell for 3% more (Business Week)

Additionally, some warranties cover all or some of these items while the home is for sale. One word... WOW!

How do sellers go about getting a home warranty? Just ask your listing agent. Most real estate companies offer warranty programs from several independent insurers. The cost is usually less than $500, and your agent will probably handle the paperwork for you. More good news: No money up front. Warranties are paid for at settlement, and there's no fee if there's no settlement.

A home warranty is a small investment because it says to buyers, We Try Harder - in other words, BUY ME!

Home buyer warranty companies you might want to check out: HMS, AHS, 2-10

Photos: istockphoto

The Second Commandment of Blogging (Learned the Hard Way)

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:02:51 -0500

We all know the First Commandment of Blogging: CONTENT IS KING.

'Not sure if I learned this the hard way (through the School of Hard Knocks) or the easy way (someone shared their wisdom with me), but I've known for a long time that good content attracts both google and readers. It has been the "secret" to selling Crofton Maryland real estate in this market.

When I headed to Texas in June, my broker-owner Ed White was covering for me here in Maryland - After about a week, he said "This is crazy... Are you always this busy?" I was sending him about one or two leads a day - all generated by my blogs. This continued for another week, 'til I lost regular Internet connection when my daughter moved into her new house. She had procrastinated on ordering Internet service for home, since she enjoyed access all day at work. That's when I learned...

The Second Commandment of Blogging: CONSISTENCY IS CRUCIAL.

After two weeks without Internet access for blogging consistently about Crofton and real estate, those leads from blogging nearly dried up. Checking email on a cell phone is one thing; blogging is another! I realized, for the first time, the huge impact of CONSISTENT blogging.

At that point, my daughter shared her air card with me (a device she uses for Internet access when traveling on business). That helped, and I posted a few times, but my place in google search results for "Crofton Maryland Real Estate" dropped from one and two for my Focus On Crofton and ActiveRain blogs to five and six during the six weeks I was away. Even more important - new leads weren't coming in from ActiveRain, Localism or FocusOnCrofton.com at quite the same pace!

Next week, look for me to get back on schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for FocusOnCrofton.com.. weekly (or more) for Localism... and, of course, ActiveRain. If I wasn't convinced before, I know now that CONSISTENCY is just as important as CONTENT in blogging, even though I have a pretty substantial inventory of past blogs posted.

Yes, blogging is a big investment in time - but it pays a huge return! People who live in the Crofton area seem to be riding out this market in place, so I can't count on local repeat and referral business. Relocation buyers are searching online for a community, a home, and an agent... and they find both Crofton real estate and me through my blogs.

'Guess I'd better get started. 'LOTS of catching up to do, and many new posts have been inspired by my trip, starting with my visit to another Crofton - Crofton, Kentucky!

PHOTOS: Istockphoto

Why Anne Arundel County Website is #2 in the Nation

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:54:16 -0500

Have you visited the Anne Arundel County website? You'll find it to be user-friendly, up-to-date, and informative - some of the criteria used by The Center for Digital Government in ranking Anne Arundel County #2 in the nation among Counties with 500,000+ residents for outstanding use of technology in service to its residents.

The award was based on more than 100 measurements and data points about online service delivery, infrastructure, architecture and governance models.

My Anne Arundel is just one of the many features you'll find helpful:

When you enter any specific address in Anne Arundel County, you can find out what County facilities are available to residents of that address including the nearest

Police Station, address and distance
Fire Station, address and distance
County Payment Center, address and distance
Library, address and distance
Senior Center, address and distance
Hospital, address and distance

This General Information Report also provides the County Council District and name of your Council representative, as well as trash, recycling, and yard waste pick-up information. This information is especially helpful to anyone relocating to Anne Arundel County, but any Anne Arundel County resident will probably consider this to be a helpful resource.

When you get a chance, check out other features available on the website including information about County history, recreation and parks, events, transportation and emergency preparedness. You'll discover for yourself why Anne Arundel County's webiste is ranked #2 in the nation!

Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland

An ActiveRain Referral That Made EVERYONE Happy!

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:41:01 -0500

Jim and Ellen Crawford, of RE/MAX Greater Atlanta, contacted me a few months ago about a prospective listing in Bowie, Maryland. We kept in touch, as weeks went by, since the seller wasn't quite ready to make the commitment to sell her home of 40 years.

Finally, the "okay" came, and I contacted the seller and her daughter, a friend of Jim and Ellen's who was helping her mother prepare for relocation to North Carolina. My husband and I went by a few days before the scheduled listing appointment so I could take some exterior photos and we were pleasantly surprised - the home had a lot of curb appeal, and it appeared to be well-maintained. Hallelujah!

The listing appointment didn't go as well as I hoped, however, because they did not want to hear a word about me, my company, or my plan for selling the home, so I never got to show off my brief but brilliant new animated Power Point listing presentation. They just wanted to know about price and what they had to do to prepare the home for sale, and they dismissed me without signing a listing.

That's never a good thing... did this mean I might not get the listing? Of course, I second-guessed myself about my brutal honesty regarding pricing, but I knew I was right - I had just settled a "perfect" comp days earlier. Jim and Ellen, the referring agents, would expect no less from me than complete candor.

A few days later, an Army officer transferring into The Pentagon who had come to me through my blogs (ActiveRain and Focus On Crofton) arrived in town to look at homes. I had previously shown her Crofton townhomes that she picked out online, and now she wanted to see a detached home near Andrews AFB. My prospective listing was in the same county, closer to her family, lower priced (if they followed my advice), and in better condition, so I contacted the seller that Jim and Ellen had referred to me and asked if I could show it to my client as a Buyer's agent. Even though I might not get the listing, I could still sell it!

My buyer fell in love with the home, but her mother did not, so the buyer went back to Fort Bragg and initiated her loan application. The seller loved the buyer as much as the buyer loved the house - after all, who wouldn't love a beautiful young army officer who had served in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq during the 8 years since she graduated from college with an Army ROTC scholarship. When the buyer decided to make an offer by email and fax, the seller was eager to have her as their buyer - truly, a match made in heaven!

The contract writing, presentation, and counter-offer consumed the entire day before I left for Texas, and it could not have happened without my broker-owner Ed White stepping in to show waterfront property to another blog client with whom I already had an appointment that day. And Ed took over this case, too, when I left for a month-long vacation, meeting the home inspector and appraiser, sending his assistant to the walk-through and yesterday's settlement.

I am so fortunate to have such great support within my office (RE/MAX Vision), the seller and buyer are still amazed at the "luck" which brought them together, and Jim and Ellen earned a referral fee even though their referral never listed with me.

The bottom line: One ActiveRain referral (happy seller, happy referring agents) + one ActiveRain buyer (happy buyer, happy selling agent). I'd say that's a LOT of happy people... and one very smooth military relocation!

Thank you, ActiveRain!

PHOTO: Mwoda

MRIS Distributes $$$ to Members

Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:32:55 -0500

If you live in the area served by Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. (MRIS), did you read your email from them today? I often don't, so it wouldn't surprise me if you missed it.

It seems the MRIS operating reserve exceeds their 9-month target at the same time the real estate industry is experiencing a downturn. Therefore, their Executive Committee and Board of Directors decided to reallocate some of their reserve funds to Agents, Brokers and Member Associations in the following manner:

First, one month's credit to each paying MRIS subscriber in good standing as of April 1, 2008.
Second, a total of $150,000 is to be distributed to the MRIS Shareholder Associations of Realtors® based on their respective voting shares;
Third, the balance (approximately $1,850,000) is to be distributed to MRIS Principal Brokers in good standing based on the total number of offices within their respective firms as of April 1, 2008.

While the dollar amount per recipient is modest, this distribution totals approximately $5,000,000.

As a member of the Subscriber Advisory Council for MRIS, I never leave one of our quarterly meetings without saying to myself all the way home, "WOW!" I am repeatedly blown away by the highly qualified staff and all they do to anticipate future needs of members as well as serve the current needs. Before the hated SAFE MLS KEY was even distributed to MRIS members, for example, they were already at work developing Phase Two of MRIS security that would provide another solution to maintaining the security of our system.

Contrary to beliefs of some MRIS critics, no one sits in an "ivory tower" dreaming up things to challenge our industry. On the contrary, MRIS works extensively with focus groups of members and beta tests on every product they roll out. I've had the privilege of participating in some of these, and I'm currently working with several other agents and Chris Busi at MRIS on revisions to Settlement Express. You'll be happy to know that will be web-based when the finished product is released in the near future.

The reallocation of reserve funds to stakeholders is one more example of MRIS putting members first. I want to personally congratulate and thank Adam Cockey, Jr., Chairman, and all the members of the Committee and Board of Directors for this much appreciated recognition and credit. It couldn't come at a better time!

THANK YOU!

PHOTO: Istockphoto