Columbia, MD Named 4th Best Place to Find a JobThe results are in and Wallethub has named Columbia, MD as the 4th best city in the United States to find a job.Columbia, MD has also made the top 10 list of the best places to live in the United States.Built in the 1960s, Columbia is a master planned community made up of 10 villages. Each village has strict rules for home maintenance, including how long a resident can keep up holiday decorations, and what colors they can paint their homes, but they feature a wide range of housing types which was intended to promote economic diversity. Columbia property consists only of the territory governed by the Columbia Association but larger areas are included under the name by the U.S. Postal Service. These include several other communities which pre... 07/27/2024

Coming up! The best time to sell your Lake Elkhorn home in Columbia, MD. With temperatures warming, turtles sunbathing, trees greening, and people out and about walking, jogging, and biking around Lake Elkhorn, spring is the best time to list and sell your home on or near the lake. The colors are going to be popping in all professional photography which - by the way - should showcase life at the lake and all it has to offer. If you are so lucky to have a home with premium lake views, then you really get to show it off during this time of the year. Interested in selling your Lake Elkhorn home? Let's get in touch! With 20 years in the business, I have the experience and expertise to generate the best offers. It takes more than just a For Sale sign. I will show you how we'll get your home ... 03/23/2024

(Dedicated) buyer's agents do A LOT more than just open a few doors. In this series, I'll highlight a few tales from the Real Estate trenches to emphasize just that. The value of a buyer's agent: protecting the client's best interest, part 2I've been working with a loyal investor client for a few years now, and am always on the lookout for him. One morning, a condo in Columbia, MD caught my eye that had been listed just moments prior. Although it had been vacant for some time, with utilities shut off, and needed some TLC, it was priced well below comparable sales (as it should but that's not always the case). My client already owned property in the development and was familiar with the location, condo amenities, and regulations. I knew it would pique his interest, and it did! We schedul... 03/18/2024

Columbia, MD - Ridgeline Roofers Columbia, a leading roofing contractor based in Columbia, Maryland, is revolutionizing the roofing industry with a commitment to redefining quality in services for both residential and commercial clients. With a focus on customer satisfaction, advanced materials, emergency roofing services, and transparent pricing, Ridgeline Roofers Columbia has become the go-to choice for superior roofing solutions in Columbia and its surrounding areas.Ensuring customer satisfaction is at the core of Ridgeline Roofers Columbia's philosophy. The company goes above and beyond by assigning dedicated project managers to each undertaking. These managers serve as liaisons between the clients and the roofing team, ensuring clear communication and transparency throughout the pr... 12/23/2023

As the leading full-service roofing contractor in Columbia, Ridgeline Roofers Columbia is proud to underscore the importance of maintaining clean gutters for the longevity and structural integrity of residential and commercial properties. Neglecting gutter maintenance poses significant risks, including potential water damage to foundations, walls, and roofs.Water, which at first glance seems harmless, can wreak havoc on a property when gutters are clogged or malfunctioning. The significance of maintaining clean gutters cannot be overstated, as they play a pivotal role in directing rainwater away from the foundation and walls. Without proper drainage, water can seep into the foundation, causing cracks and compromising the structural integrity of the entire building. Ridgeline Roofers Col... 12/22/2023

When I put 5981 Gales Ln in Columbia, MD on the market last month, I braced myself for much not-so-favorable feedback. You see, this 1950s rambler is a true time capsule. It has an original kitchen, original bathrooms, and is in need of quite a bit of work ranging from new windows, to kitchen and bathroom upgrades, a new driveway, new garage door, new flooring, new HVAC, new paint, and extensive landscaping. But, it had a lot going for it, too. It sits on 1.5+ acres in the heart of Columbia which made it truly a rare find. It's an outparcel whose original owners refused to sell out when Columbia was developed in the 1960s. Thus, it is not assessed the annual CPRA fee like most properties in Columbia, yet it benefits from all the town has to offer. It also has a great floorplan, centerin... 10/20/2023

Just Listed! Incredible opportunity in the heart of Columbia! This 1.55-acre out-parcel with no CPRA dues is just minutes from Rt. 29, Merriweather district, and Columbia Mall. 5981 Gales Lane is a solid mid-century home with a 2-car rear entry garage. It sits back off a dead-end road, offering privacy and lots of room to spread out. It charms with its fabulous floorplan, centered around two fireplaces, its spacious rooms, unusually large closets for a mid-century home, as well as original details such as the preserved stonework at the front of the house and around one of 3 fireplaces. Anyone hunting for a time capsule will appreciate the original kitchen with its metal cabinets, continuous metal sink and built-in stove-top, plus a built-in grill, the two ovens, bread drawer, checkered ... 09/20/2023

About 3 months ago, I wrote a blog post titled Sorry to disappoint, deals are (still) hard to come by... Today I have to add: but not impossible. I work with a limited number of investor clients and always keep an eye out for them. Part of my market watch and daily perusing of newly listed and coming soon listings are any deals that could be attractive to my investors. I have a good understanding of what could fit their portfolios and run any possibilities by them. Steals are (still) hard to come by, but occasionally we get lucky (and by lucky I mean, we see an opportunity and act on it immediately). One of my clients just closed on a sweet REO deal on a two-bedroom condo in Columbia. Typically, condos are not high on the want list due to fees and regulations, but this one just made sen... 02/01/2023

Happy Closing Day Dan & Divya and welcome to your new home in Columbia's Village of Harper's Choice which - as it turns out - was totally the best choice for you. Dan & Divya and I first connected back in March when they were interviewing buyer's agents to guide them on their first home buying journey - a smart move by the way, the interviewing and the choosing me part! 😉We spent time going over the process and the documents before hunting for the perfect home. They had done their homework, they knew what they wanted, which neighborhoods they would consider and - most importantly - what their financial comfort level was. Preapproval does not always equal comfort level! We explored. We researched. We wrote a few offers but only on the ones that were a good fit, until we submitted a winni... 08/10/2022

DOK KHAO Thai Eatery is one of the restaurants that opened in the new Merriweather District in Columbia, MD within the last year. It joined Busboys & Poets, Peter Chang, Clove & Cardamom, The Creamery..We love trying new restaurants, especially the ones that have plenty on the menu for people like me, who are suffering from food allergies or sensitivities and/or are ever mindful of ingredients. DOK KHAO is already hugely popular, and buzzing with cheerful chatter during the evening hours.Stepping into DOK KHAO feels like stepping into Spring.. an experience that was especially pleasant on a chilly, chilly night. The interior is whimsical, vibrant, happy, and colorful with lots and lots of flowers. It's a restaurant that inspires and made me want to redecorate my home. It suits you, my f... 03/26/2022

Too Late for 8509 Wild Wing Way, Columbia, MD 21045It's too late now for you to purchase this five-bedroom in the Village of Long Reach in Columbia.  This homeowner saved over $15,000 selling their home with Houwzer and it sold in record time.  Are you thinking about selling your home and would like to keep more of your equity in your pocket?  Reach out to me today and we can have a frank and honest conversation about your home and a no-obligation assessment of its value.  Let's talk today!!   02/16/2022

Busboys & Poets just opened their newest location in the Merriweather District in Columbia, MD, perfectly timed with my birthday 😉 Thank you kindly! It's been years since I stopped by the one in Hyattsville always hoping that they'll open one up in Howard County, closer to home & office. I just love the blend of restaurant/coffee shop/bar/bookstore and event space, and align with Busboys & Poets philosophy which is literally the writing on their wall:  Busboys and Poets"is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifteda place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul...a space for art, culture, and politics to intentionally collide...we believe that by creating such a spacewe can inspire social change and begin to transform our community an... 10/13/2021

Is now a good time to buy? is one of the most frequently asked questions I hear from clients and customers, neighbors, at social get-togethers, at the gym or from strangers who can't resist giving my assistant Lennon some attention while we are out running the trails. My answer since 2004 has been: if you are financially ready and stable and need/want a new home, then now is a good time to buy. Leaving personal reasons aside, then the answer is mostly driven by numbers (plus your ability to buy). According to Realtor.com the best time to buy in 2021 nationally was the first week of October:"This week historically has shown the best balance of market conditions that favor buyers. Inventory tends to be high, prices are below peak levels, demand is waning, and pace of the market slows to a... 10/10/2021

Mission accomplished. Goal crushed. Heart & mind happy (body... well, that's a different story). On Saturday I participated in a Ride of a Life Time at my local Life Time Fitness in Columbia, MD. I had signed up as a challenge rider, agreeing to ride all  four cycling classes offered that day and then some. In an effort to exceed my fundraising goal, I boldly challenged my peeps to bet $10 against me being able to ride four hours non-stop. 240 minutes. Zero breaks. I did it. I got on the bike just before 8 AM and got off at noon. At the end of the four hours, I had a full heart, an empty belly and two sore legs... and much gratitude and love for all who supported my effort, my team member's efforts and the entire event. I proudly pedaled for a purpose and sweated for a great cause, and ... 09/27/2021

Challenge accepted. In 2011 Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV, MD and I cycled for a few hours to save the tatas. This Spinning marathon was not only a lot of fun but also a very successful fundraiser for the Susan B. Komen foundation. In my prior life I was a certified Spinning® instructor and although I now only ride among the crowd vs. upfront, I still very much enjoy a good AMP'd up workout. When the chance presents itself to sweat for a good cause, even better! Sign me up!This Saturday I will be participating in RIDE of a Life Time at my local Life Time Fitness gym in Columbia, MD. Of course I had to sign up as a challenge rider and will be riding all 4 classes from 8 am until noon.This cycling event is a fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network (nationally) and the Johns Hopkins Chil... 09/21/2021

Just Sold - 5051 Columbia Rd, Columbia, MD Drop-dead gorgeous 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo townhome with hardwood floors, updated kitchen with granite and stainless, and a single car garage.  The bathrooms have been beautifully updated too.  The basement is finished with a walkout to the rear fenced yard.  This home was only on the market for 4 days and sold for over the listing price.  This seller saved $9000 selling their home with Houwzer!! 03/06/2021

When you are craving Caribbean Cuisine, only the very best will do! Anegada Delights Caribbean Cuisine in Columbia, MD is the place to go when you are craving jerk chicken, shrimp or salmon, curry coconut shrimp, oxtail, red snapper, and the most flavorful Caribbean side dishes. I can say - without exaggeration - that the food at Anegada Delights is out of this world. It's melt-in-your mouth deliciousness with just the right kick!When you are craving Caribbean Cuisine, please see my friend Lee at Anegada Delights. You will not be disappointed! You may have seen his lime-green food truck around Howard County, but there's also a restaurant location open for carry-out and delivery:Anegada Delights Caribbean Cuisine9861 Broken Land PkwyColumbia, MD 21046Monday through FridayLunch 11 - 2Dinn... 02/02/2021

The Symphony of Lights has been a time-honored Howard County holiday tradition enjoyed by many for 27 years. Set in the historic Merriweather Post Pavilion and made up of more than 300,000 bulbs, this family-oriented spectacular is a dazzling display of larger-than-life animated and stationary holiday light creations.  Take some time to drive through this spectacular Symphony of Lights in Colombia, Maryland. My daughter and I did this as a Mini Cooper Rally and toy drive. Lots of fun and a lovely way to see the lights. Thanks for hosting Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker and Carol Williams  12/16/2020

It didn't take long for the perfect buyers to fall in love with this townhome on Wild Ginger Court in Columbia's Village of Hickory Ridge. We listed it in mid-March - before the wooded area behind the block was dressed in all shades of green, and before we could show off just how picturesque the view really is - had showings scheduled back-to-back, and had a contract in hand just 4 days later. Yesterday was Happy Closing Day - my favorite day of the week! This one is one for the memory books for sure! Not only did we have to adapt to the restrictions that come with a pandemic and stay-at-home order, but also finalize the sale in the midst of a severe weather advisory and torrential downpour. As is the norm right now, settlement was a split one, the seller signed during a parking lot clo... 05/01/2020

A virtual shout-out to Race Pace Bicycles..  the Mini (a.k.a. my youngest daughter) adores her vintage-looking cruiser bike, and enjoys riding laps with her big sister while mom loops the parking lot. The other day though, cruising was cut short. The back wheel was acting all funky, clearly it needed some TLC - urgently. Race Pace Bicycles to the rescue! They are an essential business and fully operational, albeit with restrictions. I called to be sure, dropped the bike off an hour later, got a call back that same evening, and picked it up the next day. The entire experience was super fast, uncomplicated, and exceeding my expectations. Race Pace Bicycles has adjusted well to restrictions imposed and continues to be there for its customers. They've set up a drop-off area for all maintena... 04/19/2020