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.

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.

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!

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

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

Copyright 2008.  All Rights Reserved.  Margaret Woda.  "Concert at Fort George G. Meade:  Tchaikovsky's Overture to 1812"
 

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

Copyright 2008.  All Rights Reserved.  Margaret Woda.  The Jazz Amabassadors at Fort Meade Tonight 

'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

 

Copyright 2008.  All Rights Reserved.  Margaret Woda.
 
Resources for Davidsonville Newbies

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.

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

1. Police Station, address and distance
2. Fire Station, address and distance
3. County Payment Center, address and distance
4. Library, address and distance
5. Senior Center, address and distance
6. 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

Copyright 2008.  All Rights Reserved.  Margaret Woda.  Why Anne Arundel County Website is #2 in the Nation