ONLINE RELOCATION PACKAGE

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.

There's more to moving than packing up your belongings and transporting them in a truck to your destination location.  Getting your life back to normal means hooking up your electronic equipment to make it functional again. 

Moving your piano is nothing, compared to this challenge.  After all, the movers perform all the heavy lifting, while the electronics hook-up is in your own hands and at the mercy of your time availability.

There's no way around it, a job transfer or PCS military orders mean you have to dis-connect your computer, printer, and other electronic equipment to relocate.  There's a risk of losing your data; you know how time-consuming it was to set up your computer and other equipment previously; and you cringe at the prospect of having to do it all over again at your destination.  

To avoid the risk of data loss and minimize the hassle of re-connecting your hi-tech equipment:

1.  Back-up all your data files. 

Store your computer data on a USB device, external hard drive, CD, DVD, or online; or create a hard-drive image back-up.

2.  Separate your back-up data from your computer. 

For example, if your computer is packed on a truck with your household goods, carry the back-up data in your car or mail it to your destination.  (I would probably make two or three back-ups, in an overabundance of caution.)

3.  Map your computer components.

Photograph your setup to help you remember it when you arrive at your destination; color-code or label cables and jacks; sketch a diagram of back panels on the equipment and label both switches and jacks for future reference.  (Again, I would probably make two or three copies of any photos or sketches.)

4.  Carefully pack and label your cables, copies of your diagrams and instructions, and small computer components.

Bundle together your cables and pack them with any diagrams and small components in a single box or container; then, clearly label it and designate which room to place it in at your destination.  Don't leave this up to professional packers, who surely will pack five cables in five separate boxes and your diagrams in another.

5.  Repeat steps 3 and 4 for your TV, VCR, Tivo, Stereo and any other electronic equipment.

Don't rely on your memory.  Again, color code cables and jacks; sketch a diagram of panels on the equipment and label your switches and jacks.  Bundle cables together and pack them with the piece of equipment or, if they're packed separately, be sure to identify them clearly.

 

There are other things to consider, as well, since it's likely you'll have different options available for Internet, phone and cable connection at your destination than you do now.   It might be a good idea for you to do a little detective work on your future options prior to your move - possibly even arrange for service to begin promptly when you move in to your new home. 

Determine if FIOS, DSL, cable or broadband service are available and find out if they're bundled with other services offered by the local cable or telephone company, since that could be a cost-cutting consideration.  Decide in advance if a wireless connection is something you want.  Think twice before changing your email address, as that could present other issues.

Then, of course, there are possible wiring issues at the next house.  When you have your home inspection or pre-settlement walk-through, make a sketch of existing wiring and jacks for Internet, Phone and Cable connections and ask the seller who their Internet, Phone and Cable providers are.  If you're comfortable with maintaining the same level of service they have, that may be your easiest option to get connected quickly.

A little preparation up-front, before you make your move, could go a long way towards expediting electronic hook-up at your new home. 

Check out 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. 

WHO HOO!  ALL ABOARD!

Calling all kids!  (Kids of all ages) 

Sir Topham Hatt, the Controlloer of Thomas Railways,  will be on hand when you and your kids arrive at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore for a ride aboard Thomas the Tank Engine this weekend (April 25-28) and next (May 2-4). 

After your 25-minute train ride, your kids will want to watch the Thomas and Friends videos and enjoy the story-telling; then visit Imagination Station for arts and crafts.  Other themed activities included with your ticket are building with LEGO® DUPLO® bricks, temporary tatoos of Sodor and friends, and a few surprises.

While you're there, explore The B&O Railrod Museum, arguably the oldest and most comprehensive American railroad collection in the world.  In fact, this Baltimore site is considered the "birthplace of American railroading."  It's a great opportunity for you and your kids or grandkids to bring together your memories of playing with trains as a kid and today's phenomena, Thomas the Train. 

If you're not already well-acquainted with Thomas, take a few minutes to explore the web site. In fact, if your kids or grandkids have not already introduced you to Thomas and Friends, you'll probably have more fun playing on this website than you have since you were a kid playing with your own toy trains.

CLICK ON THE TICKET to order your tickets online or call 1-866-468-7630.  Advance purchase is recommended.

Downtown Baltimore is located just 20 miles from Fort George G Meade and 30 miles from the U.S. Naval Academy, two major landmarks in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month 

Considering an Anne Arundel County waterfront home when you relocate to the D.C. area? 

Shady Side, where two of these homes are located, is just 30 miles from Andrews AFB and 35 miles from the White House.  The third property is located in Churchton, a little closer to Andrews and D.C.

It was chilly and overcast yesterday, but that didn't slow us down on our scheduled tour of waterfront properties.  Using my camera, these homes and waterviews were snapped by my buyers, and I'm providing a very brief description of these three properties I showed them.

House #1 - Four bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, 88-year old home, located on one acre along the West River. 

Price:  $995,000
Taxes:  $8,362/yr.

House #2:

3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, 51-year old home, located on nearly 2 acres along the Chesapeake Bay

Price: $695,000
Taxes: $4,509

House #3:

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 50 year old home, located on Broadwater Creek with a view to the Chesapeake Bay. 

Price:  $999,000
Taxes: $4,998

180 other Anne Arundel County waterfront properties are on the market now for $1,000,000 or less:

Annapolis (22), Arnold (11), Churchton (4), Crownsville (2), Curtis Bay (5), Deale (5), Edgewater (11), Galesville (2), Glen Burnie (19), Lake Shore (5), North Beach (3), Orchard Beach (4), Pasadena (57), Riva (4), Severna Park (9), Shady Side (16), Tracys Landing (2), West River (2).

194 more Anne Arundel County waterfront properties are on the market for over a million dollars.

If you're active duty military or a mid-level government employee, and waterfront is over your budget, you may still enjoy some of Maryland's 17,000 miles of water by living in an Anne Arundel County water-access community.  Many of these neighborhoods have private beaches, marinas and/or boat ramps open only to property-owners and residents within the community. 

RELATED LINK:

• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
• Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month 

NEW TO MARYLAND?  Like to fish?  

You're in luck, because the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and local businesses are kicking off the 2008 Maryland Fishing Challenge in exactly two hours, 32 minutes and 8 seconds. 

You may have read my wrap-up of the Fishing Challenge in 2007, but I'm catching it at the beginning this year (yes, pun intended). 

 

Here's how the Maryland Fishing Challenge works:

Any angler who catches a citation award qualifying fish will be eligible to win one of several grand prizes including a boat and trailer from Bass Pro Shops, a 2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4, a prize package from Bill's Outdoor Center, and even a $5,000 diamond from Smyth Jewelers.

Beginning in early June, anglers will also have the opportunity to win up to $25,000 in cash, compliments of Boater's World, for the capture of Diamond Jim - one of many specially tagged striped bass that will be released - along with a number of imposters - at three major events. 

Now, you have to admit, THIS is a good excuse to go fishing!  In fact, $25,000 is almost enough to make me give it a try.  It's probably no more elusive than a ratified contract on real estate these days.

Now don't laugh.  I actually spent my honeymoon camping on an island and fishing somewhere in Canada - but that's a story for another day.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

• Entry form - 2008 Fishing Challenge
• Rules - 2008 Fishing Challenge
• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
  

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Find a Home and learn about Real Estate Market Conditions in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.  Check out Today's Rates, use the free Mortgage Calculator, and watch a brief video about the Power of RE/MAX. 

Relocating to Maryland?  Check out 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.

More House 4 Less is more than a catchy blog title - it may be the magic formula that makes home ownership possible for you.  If you want to take advantage of this Buyers' Market to own a home or condo in Anne Arundel County, but you don't have a lot of cash on hand for down payment and closing, I have good news for you: 

Downpayment and closing cost help is available through the State of Maryland's More Houses 4 Less and House Keys 4 Employees Programs.

There are limits, of course, including: 

• Maximum income 
• Maximum sale price
• Participating employers for some programs
• Participating builders for some programs
• Approved lenders

But these are NOT your typical state-subsidized mortgage programs, and they're NOT limited to first-time homebuyers, so don't rule yourself out before checking with me.  Chances are you're eligible to buy a home in Anne Arundel County with one of these CDA loans.  Check with me to find out if you qualify, to learn what homes are eligible under this program, and to determine if your employer is participating in the partnership program.

Interest Rate:  All loans are fixed-rate, some up to 40 years, and today's rate ranges from 5.5% to 6.25%, depending on whether you pay points or receive up to a 3% grant.  (4/8/08)

I just happen to have two Crofton condos listed now that you can buy with CDA down payment and closing cost assistance through the More Houses 4 Less and House Keys 4 Employees Prgrams:

2054 Happy Lane, Crofton, MD  -

Probably the NICEST 2-bedroom Crofton condo on the market, with a beautiful view of the pond and open space, upgraded kitchen with granite counters, new carpet upstairs, laminate flooring downstairs, huge landscaped deck, updated bath, and a garage.  You won't have to spend a penny on fix-up when you move into this home, because it's already up-dated to the nines.  Priced in the $230's. 

1636 Fendall Court, Crofton, MD -

Maybe the best deal in Crofton for a 2-bedroom Crofton condo, since the seller is willing to provide closing cost assistance in addition to any grants from CDA.  Your kids can walk to Crofton Elemntary from here, and there's a tot-lot within sight of your kitchen window.   Ameridream/FHA is another option for financing this home.  Priced in the $230's.

 

Coming Soon:  3-bedroom Crofton rancher in the upper $300's.  Not yet listed.  Check with me, if you would like an advance peek at this home.

These programs are not limited to condos, however.  Chances are the detached home you want to buy in Ann Arundel County is eligible.  Click here to view all Crofton homes for sale. 

Many thanks to Bob Lockhoff of Well s Fargo Mortgage for keeping me updated about these programs and helping my clients obtain one of these Maryland CDA mortgage loans.

RELATED LINK:

• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
• Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month 

Families Faced with Foreclosure - a newspaper headline and the topic of daily media reports in states across America. 

It's true AND it's unfortunate - Foreclosures are up.  Foreclosure is a personal tragedy for affected families.  Foreclosure is a business failure for affected lenders and their investors.  On the flip side, many millions of Americans who had an opportunity to buy a home at the peak of the market with a high-risk mortgage didn't do that, so we're in a position to bail out those who did.  And state legislatures across the country are helping us do so, each in their own way.

Maryland's governor, in an effort to boost his record-low (and well-deserved) 33% approval rating, signed a bill yesterday to provide foreclosure relief by extending the foreclosure time-line from 15 days to 150 days.  Several other foreclosure-relief bills are expected in the closing days of the legislative session, in addition to this.  Great for consumers, not the affected lending institutions and investors - but Maryland isn't the most business-friendly state anyway, so what the heck. 

Governor O'Malley pointed to "the people who unscrupulously try to prey upon the suffering and challenges of those who are economically vulnerable..."  He went on to say "to lose even one home in our state is unacceptable..."  I can't help wondering if well-intentioned legislation to protect consumers from the consequences of their decisions and events in their lives (and the evil lending industry) could have a cost of its own.

 

Is there any point at which lenders who can't protect their assets and their investors decide to take their money and go do business somewhere else? 

As foreclosure relief bills pile up, at the expense of lenders and taxpayers, will some lenders just pack up their assets and move away?  Five or ten years down the road, will the Maryland Legislature be offering incentives for lenders to please come back to Maryland and provide mortgages because no-one can buy or sell a home without one? 

It occurs to me that we might throw out the baby with the bathwater, as the saying goes. 

My question is this:  While protecting consumers from unscrupulous lenders - a worthy goal - do we create obstacles for the good guys in the lending industry doing business in our state and, therefore, risk driving them out of Maryland?  I hope our legislators (and law-makers around the country) consider this possible unintended consequence of ill-conceived legislation, and take care NOT to let this happen.  As they struggle to come up with a short-term solution for todoay's foreclosure situation, they need to keep in mind the long-term effects of any legislation because, in the end, it's the golden rule - he who has the gold makes the rules.

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The Washington Post reports these legislative proposals in other states for addressing today's foreclosures:

Connecticut:  Payment assistance (from taxpayers, of course) for at-risk homeowners; continued occupancy by tenants of foreclosed properties

Delaware:  Protect consumers from mortgage rescue schemes.

D.C.  Prohibit equity-stripping through unethical property transactions and protect financially distressed homeowners.

Florida:  Extend foreclosure timetable to 110 days; prohibit "foreclosure-rescue consultants" from engaging in certain acts or failing to perform contracted services.

Massachusetts:  Create a homeownership protection program and foreclosure preventing fund; subject mortgage fraud to criminal prosecution.

Michigan:  Create a foreclosure prevention fund; provided assistance to distressed homeowners; prohibit foreclosure action against active-duty military personnel.

New York:  Authorize state loans to homeowners acing foreclosure; provide free legal counsel to those undergoing foreclosure; strengthen regulations on businesses engaging in activities relating to home loan defaults and foreclosures.

Ohio:  Prohibit foreclosure actions against active military personnel or veterans less than 18-months removed from service.

Virginia:  Require people who advertise services to help owners avoid foreclosures to disclose the nature of their services and the owener's right to rescind a contract entered into with such person.

 

Just curious... as real estate and mortgage lending professionals, do you think any one of these State proposals stands out as "the best" solution for today's foreclosure situation?

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Relocating to the Washington-Baltimore area from another part of the country?  You may notice that many Bowie homes are similar to other neighborhoods in Maryland including nearby Crofton, Largo, Laurel, Columbia and Wheaton. 

In fact, Belair at Bowie may resemble a place you previously lived in New York or New Jersey, Virginia or Pennsylvania - literally hundreds of communities, with many of the same floorplans and architectural designs, were built in hundreds of communities by Levitt and Sons.  In fact, the company is still in business as Levitt Corporation, 36 years after the family company was sold.

Few current Bowie residents are old enough to remember Pete Seeger's hit recording in 1963, Little Boxes, but you may get a kick out of reading the lyrics of Little Boxes.  Lots of fans thought of Levitt homes when they heard it, but composer Malvina Reynolds' inspiration was actually Dale City, California. By the way, it was performed more recently in the 2005 movie, The Californians, in case it sounds familiar and you're not old enough to remember Pete Seeger.

Okay, Bowie, here's some history about the developer and builder who gave you Belair at Bowie:

Levitt and Sons was established in 1929 by the son of immigrants, real estate attorney Abraham Levitt and his sons William, as President, and Alfred, as Chief Architect and Planner.  They started construction the same year on their first community at Rockville Centre, New York, and expanded to several other states over the next four decades. 

From the Levitt Corporation website: 

William Levitt anticipated a pent-up demand for housing after World War II, and the company started acquiring land while he was still serving in the Pacific with the Seabees, the U.S. Navy's construction unit.  The company came up with a design for a basic house, together with a way to reduce construction procedures to 26 steps. This process, together with their mechanical and technical innovations, revolutionized the home-building industry.

Levitt actually created an assembly line to build houses on the site, using men and equipment much as they do in the auto industry. The essential difference between Detroit's methods and Levitt's was that auto makers moved materials past a waiting line of men in a factory, whereas the Levitt system moved the workmen from house site to house site past a waiting line of material in the field. Thus, in an industry notorious for wasted time, motion and material, the company introduced previously unheard-of logistics, timing and efficiency. 

William took over the company in 1954 and continued to operate it until 1972, even after selling the company to ITT in 1968 and ITT's subsequent loss of the company in 1971 due to an anti-trust ruling. 

Levitt homes were built in Bowie from 1960 to the mid 1970's

Over the years, Levitt companies established a modular home building subsidiary, expanded overseas, and changed hands several times.  The Levitt Corporation and many of its subsidiaries are still in business today, even after the 2007 bankruptcy filing by Levitt and Sons, LLC and 37 subsidiaries.  While Bill Levitt did return to the building industry in the late 70's, he was barred by the courts from using his own name, a trademark of the company he sold.  

Levitt homes sold for less than $20,000, back in the day, and you can see the line which wrapped around the block on opening day when you visit LevittownBeyond.com.  This website also displays a copy of the original renderings for Belair at Bowie. 

Bowie Homes for Sale today are priced from the $200,000's to the $400,000's, depending on the degree to which they've been added to, updated and upgraded.  Here are some of the home styles available in Bowie:

Ardsley - 4 bedroom cape-cod

Buckingham - 3-bedroom ranch

Cambridge - 3 bedroom 2-story colonial style

Country Clubber - 4-5 bedroom cape-cod

Devon - expanded 3-bedroom ranch style 

Dorset -3-bedroom townhome

Gladstone - 4-bedroom 2-story colonial style

RELATED LINKS:

• Top 3 Reasons to Buy a Home in Bowie, Maryland 
• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland 
• Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month 

Crofton, Maryland, is located in Anne Arundel County, home of the U.S. Naval Academy, Fort George G. Meade, NSA, BWI, and Northrop Grumman; about 35 minutes from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore Maryland.

Crofton is a "community," however, and not just a subdivision or zipcode .  The distinction is in the residents who make Crofton one of Money Magazine's Top 100 Best Places to live. 

One of the residents responsible for making Crofton, Maryland, the community it is today is Kaye Callahan. 

As a young mom in the late 60's/early 70's, Kaye spearheaded the effort to line Crofton Parkway with flowering cherry trees and other sections of the community with Bradford Callery Pear trees.   Crofton residents have enjoyed the fruits of her efforts (or should I say "blooms" of her efforts) for four decades.   Here are a few pictures to show you April in Crofton, Maryland, thanks to Kaye Callahan.

Don't you love our Cherry Trees? 

Thanks again, Kaye, for bringing such beauty to a community that could have been just another suburban subdivision of cookie-cutter homes.  It truly is the people - not just the location or the homes - that make Crofton a special place to live!

If you're relocating to the Baltimore-Washington area for a new job at Fort George G. Meade, Andrews AFB, the U.S. Naval Academy, BWI, NSA, NASA Goddard, Northrop Grumman or anywhere in the D.C.-Baltimore area, consider Crofton.

No history of Crofton Maryland Real Estate would be complete without a chapter on Levitt and Sons.  Since 2008 is the 40th Anniversary of Levitt and Sons first homes in Crofton, I did a little memory-searching and online research about the the company for a post titled Crofton History - The Levitt Chapter.  Subsequently, I adapted that post for nearby Bowie, Maryland, where I worked for several years.

If you live or work in a community built by Levitt and Sons, you are in good company.  This prolific builder and developer broke ground on their first community in 1929 and spread its wings for forty years before selling to ITT in 1969.  Even now, the Levitt Corporation (including several subsidiaries) is still in business, in spite of the 2007 bankruptcy filing by Levitt and Sons and 37 subsidiaries.

If a Levitt Community is located in your market, you may enjoy learning some background of the company and maybe even your own community on www.LevittownBeyond.com, where the left navigation bar features as much information as the main content.  Some of the other sources I found for information include the Time Magazine article about William Levitt as One of the Top 100 Most Important People of the Century and a "history" page on the Levitt Corporation website.  American Dream Houses, All in a Row was a look at Levitt's architecture, but I did not use it as a source for my post.

I think you'll particularly enjoy reading the lyrics of Malvina Reynolds Little Boxes, knowing it was a social commentary on cookie-cutter houses and communities in the 60's.  Many fans associated Pete Seeger's 1963 "Top Single" recording of Little Boxes with Levitt homes and communities rather than the Dale City, California neighborhood that inspired Reynolds.  If you saw the 2005 movie The Californians, you heard Keith Carradine perform this song.

Since being a Local Expert is important to you, you'll want to check out these websites if there's a Levitt community in your market.

Wouldn't it be neat if ActiveRain could be one of the most comprehensive resources for information about Levitt communities when the media marks Levitt's 80th anniversary in 2009?  If you write a post about the Levitt Community in your market (no excuses for not doing so, now that you have all these links), I'll add it to this list: 

Some Levitt communities throughout history:

• Levittown, New York - 1940's
• Levittown, Pennsylvania - 1950's
• Levitttown, New Jersey - 1950's
• Belair at Bowie, Maryland - 1960's
• Levittown de Puerto Rico - 1960's
• Crofton, Maryland - 1970's
• Levitt Homes in Creekwood, Georgia - 1970's

Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland