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It's National Cheesecake Day tomorrow, July 30, and we plan to use the occasion as an excuse to visit The Cheesecake Factory in Annapolis for the first time.

Ironically, my daughter tells me they have good salads...  Really?  Who goes to a restaurant called The Cheesecake Factory for a salad?  Well, she wasn't kidding.  I checked the menu online this morning and it IS a full-service restaurant that does, indeed, offer salads.  In fact, the menu is 20 pages long, so they obviously serve a LOT more things than cheesecake, in spite of the name!

I wanted to know more about this restaurant before going there, so I spent a little quality time on the website.  It seems that its roots are in Detroit during the 1940's but the first Cheesecake Factory opened in L.A. during the 1970's, selling over 20 varieties of the dessert.  A restaurant soon followed, and now there are locations nationwide in more than 150 locations including Columbia, the Baltimore Harbour and Annapolis Mall in Maryland - all within about a half hour of Crofton.

If you would like to celebrate National Cheesecake Day at a restaurant appropriately-named for the occasion, check out this list to find out if there is one near you:  The Cheesecake Factory locations. 

Most properties in Crofton, MD, fit the price range for FHA financing, so chances are you'll be considering it as one of your options when you buy a home.  But you'll find a lot of mis-information online and you shouldn't believe it all.  (How could you, since it often conflicts?)  If you want the straight scoop on anything related to FHA financing, you can always count on Jeff...

Maryland’s public education system ranks first in the nation again this year.

Education Week, the College Board and Newsweek Magazine ranked Maryland #1 for the highest percentage of rigorous high schools in America based on the “Challenge Index” developed by the Washington Post. 

The “America’s Top High Schools” issue of Newsweek, published last week, listed 98 Maryland high schools among its top 1,622 schools nationwide.  Since Maryland has 185 public schools, this means that 53 percent of our high schools appeared on their list.  (A few other states have more schools on the list, but they have far more schools overall and, therefore, a lower percentage of schools from their state.)

The Challenge Index looks at student enrollment in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge courses and tests.  These are considered to be indicators of good preparation for college, and many colleges and universities give credit for them.

Both high schools attended by children living in Crofton, Maryland (21114), are among the eleven (out of twelve) Anne Arundel County public schools that made the list – Arundel H.S. in Gambrills and South River H.S. in Edgewater.  Nearby Bowie H.S., in Prince George’s County, also made Newsweek’s list of “America’s Top High Schools”.  

If you're looking for good schools when you relocate to the D..C. area, you can't go wrong with Maryland - and it's hard to beat Anne Arundel County, where 11 out of 12 schools are in the nation's top 6% of public high schools.

RELATED LINKS:

• Nation’s Top Public School System is Maryland (2009)
• A Tour of Local Public Schools for Crofton Newbies

The musical ambassadors of the United States Army are based right here at Fort George G. Meade.

"As the premier touring musical representative for the United States Army, this internationally-acclaimed organization travels thousands of miles each year presenting a variety of music to enthusiastic audiences throughout the nation and abroad."  That's how they're described on the band's official website.

Army band members are active duty soldiers in the U.S. Army who rotate through various assignments throughout their careers, just like any other member of the U.S. military.  Bandsmen, as they are called, have duties ranging from performing instrumentalists and vocalists to conductors, sound technicians and administrators.  They could be assigned to a large band (at Fort Monroe, VA, Ft. McPherson, GA, and Heidelberg, Germany) or a special band (Pershings Own at Ft. Myer, VA, the USMA Band at West Point, NY, and the US Army Field Band at Fort Meade). 

Here at Fort Meade, bandsmen may be part of the Concert Band, the Soldiers' Chorus, the Jazz Ambassadors, or The Volunteers and perform 100 times a year - across the country and around the world.  They participate as guest artists (both individually and as small ensembles) for community and school concerts; they conduct clinics at high schools and colleges; and they assist local music educators with camps, music instrument drives or whatever they can.

The band and various ensembles go on tour during the summer months, and may be visiting a town or city near you in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Connecticut, Ohio or even Toronto, ON this month or next.  Be sure to check the U.S. Army Field Band Schedule 2010.

I noticed on the schedule they'll be performing July 4 at Point State Park Main Stage in Pittsburgh... and the on the southwest corner of the Washington Monument...  I wonder who will perform at the July 4 celebration right here at Fort Meade?

Residents in the greater Crofton MD area have no shortage of opportunities to hear the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy bands perform throughout the summer, including the 2010 Summer Concert Series on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol.

P.S.  Don't forget to bring your bug spray!  (Speaking from experience...)

RELATED POSTS:

• Commuting Guide for Fort George G. Meade and NSA
• Fort Meade - What to Expect When You Arrive
• Good News for VA Home Buyers in Maryland
• STOP - Don't Pack to Move without Setting aside Important Paperwork

If you have PCS orders to Fort Meade - for the U.S. Army Field Band or any other assignment - I would consider it a privilege to help you find a home and community within a half hour of Fort Meade and NSA.

Homes in Crofton Highlands rarely change hands. This small neighborhood of 50 homes, located on the North side of Rt. 424 (Davidsonville Road), is across from Old Crofton and backing to Crofton Meadows.  Washington, DC and Baltimore are easily accessible via major commuting routes, and major employers such as Fort Meade, NSA, Andrews AFB, Northrop Grumman, BWI, USNA and Maryland State Government offices in Annapolis are within a half hour.   

When I mentioned "rarely change hands", I wasn't exaggerating... Only five new families have purchased homes in Crofton Highlands since 2006. This seems like a pretty good indication that anyone living here probably loves their neighborhood and doesn't want to leave. 

Relocating families often don't have the option of living in Crofton Highlands, since there is so little turnover in this neighborhood, but I've created a Hot Sheet to make it easy for you to find out if any homes are available there at any time.  Just click on Homes for Sale in Crofton Highlands.

If you click on that link today, you'll find one home for sale at $469,000.  It has a lovely setting at the end of a long driveway on a cul de sac, so you don't want to let this home get away from you.

It would be my privilege to represent you as your buyer's agent to show you the home at 2087 Lower Court.  You'll find my contact information elsewhere on this page.

OTHER AFFORDABLE HOMES NEAR FORT MEADE:

• SEVEN OAKS in Odenton MD
• FOUR SEASONS ESTATES, Gambrills MD
• CROFTON COMMONS in CROFTON MD
• PINEY ORCHARD in Odenton MD

RELATED POSTS:

• Commuting Guide for Crofton Newbies
• Schools in Crofton, Maryland
• Crofton Daycare Options for Relocating Families
  

Fort George G Meade in Maryland is many things... one of them is a community, complete with shopping, recreational facilities, day care, dining, and more.

Golf is nearly always mentioned in any conversation about recreation at Fort Meade, and The Courses offer 27-holes of golf right in the heart of the post to qualified individuals.

You may be eligible to play golf at Fort Meade, without even realizing it...   In fact, I think a lot of local residents may not be aware they don't have to be active duty military or stationed at Fort Meade to play The Courses (although active-duty E1-E5 stationed at Meade do have lower rates than anyone else except junior golfers).

There are several levels of eligibility (listed in order of priority) for playing golf on The Courses at Fort Meade:

• Active duty military personnel (and their families) assigned to Fort Meade
• Active duty military personnel (and their families) NOT assigned to Fort Meade and members of the ARNG and USAR.
• Retired military personnel (and their families).
• Fort Meade MDW DOD, retired DOD, appropriated fund (APF) and non-appropriated fund (NAF) civilian employees (family members may play as guests when accompanied by an authorized patron.)
• Honorably discharged Veterans with proof of prior military service (DD Form 214).

I doubt you could find any place to play golf in the Washington, D.C. area for less money because daily fees start at just $10 for juniors, authorized personnel never pay more than $21 per round, and guests fees are only $30.  Annual memberships start at $300 and the most expensive (non-retired veterans) are the most expensive at $1200 per year.  You can rent a riding cart for an unbelievably low $15/round per person (or $18 for an individual golfer) and you can reserve a tee time.  There are various groups, of course, including 18-hole and 9-hole ladies groups.

The Courses at Fort Meade are located within a half hour of many communities in Anne Arundel, Prince George's and Howard Counties including Bowie, Columbia, Crofton, Crownsville, Ellicott City, Gambrills, Laurel, Millersville, and Odenton.

If you live in one of these communities, why not consider The Courses at Fort George G. Meade the next time you're thinking about trying someplace new.

SUMMER SPECIALS:  

Wednesday - 18 holes for $25, including cart
Saturday and Sunday - 18 holes anytime after 1400 for $25, including cart
Monday-Thursday - Applewood nine anytime after 1400 for $15, including cart

RELATED POSTS:

• How Many Golf Courses are there at Andrews AFB?
• Anne Arundel County Golf Courses 
• A Bird's-Eye View of the Golf Course Near You
• Crofton Real Estate - Tee it up!

Homebuyers relocating to the D.C. - Baltimore - Annapolis Triangle, including military families headed to Fort Meade, Andrews AFB and the USNA, often discover the greater Crofton area for the first time when they start digging into the quality of schools throughout the region.  It's hard to find anything "not to like" about Arundel H.S., South River H.S., and their respective feeder systems in Crofton, Davidsonville, and Gambrills.

Of course, any school or even classroom is only as good as the individual principal and teacher at that moment, so you're bound to find some exceptions anywhere, but I can't imagine better public schools overall in any community.

Locate Your School is a favorite page on the Anne Arundel County Public Schools website for relocating families because they can quickly learn which school their children will attend by entering the address of any home in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Once you find the schools for homes you're considering, you can click on the link for them below, and here's what you'll find:  The school's address, phone number, administrators, demographics, and a link to the school's own website where you will find even more information.  You'll also find links to the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) results and Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) reports.

ARUNDEL HIGH SCHOOL & FEEDER SYSTEM

ARUNDEL MIDDLE

• Four Seasons Elementary (Gambrills) - Photo middle right
• Odenton Elementary  (Odenton)
• Piney Orchard Elementary (Odenton)
• Waugh Chapel Elementary (Gambrills)

CROFTON MIDDLE

• Crofton Elementary
• Nantucket Elementary  (Crofton) - Photo bottom right
  

SOUTH RIVER HIGH SCHOOL & FEEDER SYSTEM

CENTRAL MIDDLE

• Central Elementary
• Davidsonville Elementary - Photo top right

CROFTON MIDDLE SCHOOL 

• Crofton Meadows Elementary
• Crofton Woods Elementary

"Which Crofton School is the Best?" is a question I often hear from relocating families, and I would have to say "all of the above."  That's because my family experienced several of them first hand - Crofton Elementary, Crofton Woods, Arundel Middle, Crofton Middle School and Arundel H.S. - and, of course, the children of my clients and neighbors have, as well.  Many of my clients have chosen this community FOR our schools, and I've never known anyone who moved away from because they were unhappy with Crofton area schools.

Please visit the Anne Arundel County Public Schools website for more information.  You'll find a wealth of information for parents of school age children. 

Dear Crofton Homebuyer,

The seller accepted your offer, your home inspection is complete, the appraisal has been ordered... now the fun of renovating and furnishing that home begins!  But wait...

Don't go shopping yet for furniture, appliances, and contractors.

Right before closing, your lender is required to check your credit again. Any credit inquiries could lower your credit score and raise your interest rate. In other words, don't go window-shopping for new appliances, replacement windows, bathroom upgrades or new furniture because the vendor may do a routine credit inquiry to make sure you're qualified to buy their product or service. Even if you don't make the purchase or you use cash to pay for it, that credit inquiry could be enough to change your loan terms.

Needless to say this includes other major purchases such as a car... My suggestion: Don't even walk onto the lot of a car dealer until after closing.

If you're talking to contractors about having some work done after settlement, keep in mind that any contractor you hire to work there MUST be certified by the EPA for homes built before 1978.  (Frankly, that describes most homes in the greater Crofton area.)  Non-certified contractors are subject to a $32,000 fine for working on your home AND a future buyer may walk away from your home if they discover your updating was not performed by an EPA certified contractor.

Becoming certified is relatively easy for contractors: an 8-hour approved class, a $300 certification fee (good for 5 years), and a 2-page application. Any true professional will have this, so don't settle for less. The result of breathing lead-based paint dust could be permanent brain damage for you and/or your children - not something you want to risk.

From now until closing, expect your lender to ask for additional information

You may feel there is some duplication with info provided previously, but please be patient.  Today's lenders and underwriters are still learning their way through all the new regulations recently imposed on them, and they are drowning in paperwork.  Rather than debate that you've already provided something, just copy and send any requested item again as soon as possible.  It will help reduce the aggravation and get you to settlement on schedule.

I recommend you keep a copy of everything you provide to your lender in one folder.  Then you will have all your mortgage paperwork in one place so it will be easy to find if you need it again.

If you have any questions between now and settlement, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email.

Yours agent,

Buying a home with partial VA eligibility... Yes, you can.

There's a myth among many military veterans that VA financing is a one-time privilege... i.e., if they ever used it to purchase a home in the past, VA financing is no longer an option for them when purchasing another home.  That's not entirely correct.

There are some circumstances when you may be eligible to use VA financing again:

• The home you purchased with a VA loan was sold and paid off in full when the buyer obtained new financing.  This describes many retired military folks living in Crofton and throughout the Baltimore-Washington area. 
  
  If this is your situation, you may be able to buy a new home now with no-money down VA financing without selling your current home to restore your VA eligibility OR access current equity for a down payment on your next home.
  
  
• The home you purchased with a VA loan was sold with the buyer assuming your VA loan AND substituting his/her VA eligibility for yours.  This occurred often in the 80's, when interest rates sky-rocketed to more than 15% and VA buyers assumed lower-interest rate loans rather than getting a new one.
  
  You may now be able to buy a new home with no-money down VA financing without selling your current home to restore your VA eligibility OR access current equity for a down payment on your next home.
  
  
• The home you purchased with a VA loan has been paid off or re-financed, so your VA loan has been paid in full - yet you still own the property. 
  
  Even though you still own the home purchased with a VA loan, your eligibility is no longer tied up with a VA loan on that property.  You may be able to use it for the purchase of another home, even if you don't sell your property to access your current equity for a down paymenet on your next home.
  
  
• The VA eligibility amount has increased since you used VA financing to purchase a home.  Even if you have not paid off the balance of that VA loan, you may be eligible to use the added VA eligibility to obtain another VA loan; this most likely will require a down payment on your part, but the terms could be more desirable than a Conventional loan in some cases.
  
  Explore this option with your mortgage lender to find out exactly how much VA eligibility you may now have.  My husband and I used this option several years ago, since the VA eligibility amount increased substantially between the time we purchased our first home with a VA loan and the next time we purchased with another VA loan (without selling our first home).
  

Since many people depend upon the equity in their current home for a down payment on another home, selling before buying is required.  If you qualify for a VA loan, however, you may be able to get no-down (or little-down) VA financing on your next home - and that means you can keep your current home and convert it to a rental property.

This strategy worked for many home buyers during the Buyer's Market of the early 80's, and it could work for you today.

You owe it to yourself to find out for sure whether or not you qualify to use your VA Eligibility again, if any of the situations outlined above describe you.  It's probably the best way I know for you to take advantage of today's $6500 tax credit (until April 30) and Buyer's Market pricing.

If you're located in Crofton MD or anywhere in the Baltimore-Washington area and you are active-duty, honorably discharged, or retired military, you can contact me for referral to a VA loan expert who can help you determine your home financing options.

These photos were taken during a lazy Sunday morning stroll in beautiful downtown historic Annapolis, Maryland...

Boat owners love to dock in the Annapolis Harbour, where passers-by
can admire their boats.  This area is known as "Ego Alley".

"Ego Alley" ends here at the City Dock where you'll usually find
tourists feeding the ducks or snapping photos.

Annapolis Real Estate, December '09:

Real estate activity in Annapolis (21401) was up an impressive 68% to 37 sold/settled properties last month from the previous year (December '08).  An analysis of Days on Market provided more good news - only 120 days, which was down over 18% from a year ago.  Home prices held relatively steady in Annapolis during this period while dropping throughout much of the region:  Median price went up slightly (.13%) and average sold price went down only about 10%.

Visit the Annapolis page of MDisFun.org for more information about this beautiful city, or contact me anytime for a list of homes for sale in the Annapolis area.