ONLINE RELOCATION PACKAGE

There are not a lot of new home communities on Fort Meade's doorstep, but there are plenty nearby.

Since builders make it so easy for you to walk in and purchase directly from them, home buyers often are not aware that it cost no more to be represented by a real estate professional in their home purchase.   When I'm sitting in a builder's model with clients, I often have a million questions that my client never thought to ask.  And, as the builder's representative goes through the multi-page contract, I sometimes interrupt to ask my clients "Do you understand what that means?" and offer a more detailed explanation.

As you prepare for your first house-hunting trip to Maryland, I know you'll want to check out the new home communities online, as well as resale listings and established neighborhoods.  That's why I put together this list for you, including links to the builder's website:

$200,000-$400,000

• Tanyard Springs - Townhomes, Glen Burnie
• Stony Run - Townhomes, Hanover
• Villages of Dorchester - Townhomes, Hanover
• Admirals View - Townhomes, Annapolis

$400,000-$600,000

• The Residences at Park Place  - Condos, Annapolis
• Colonial Woods - Detached Homes, Severn
• Arundel Preserve - The Enclave - Townhomes, Hanover
• Grandview - Condos, Annapolis
• Heron Cove - Detached Homes, Edgewater

This barely touches the surface, but it will get you started in your online research.  There are many others, including more expensive homes and over-55 communities, which are not included here.  However, I tried to focus on new home communities that are most likely to appeal to civilian and military personnel relocating to Fort Meade. 

When you arrive in Maryland for your first house-hunting trip, be sure to meet with your agent before visiting new home communities.  You agent will be familiar with them, their locations, and the builder's reputation - information which may help you decide which communities meet your goals.  Remember, if you go on your own, your agent will not be able to look out for your best interest in the purchase.

A few years ago, one of my relocating clients did exactly that - she and her father sat down without me to buy a home from a builder whose reputation was less than stellar among local real estate agents.  At the walk-through, she found that the floor in her master bath was not level - dramatically so - and there had been a plumbing leak which soaked the living room carpet. 

She was nearly hysterical when she contacted me for help in resolving these issues before settlement, but I was unable to step in and negotiate a resolution because I had not represented her in this home purchase.  Builders worry far less about one "upset" buyer than they do about a whole real estate office or company talking negatively about them, so chances are I could have used that to help the buyer obtain satisfaction.

In today's economic climate, there are many "good deals" for homebuyers, both resale and new construction.  Most builders and individual homeowners in this area will accept VA financing and even pay some of your closng costs, so there's a good chance you can get into a home with no money out of pocket, or very little.

So, if you're relocating to Fort Meade and want to check out communities nearby, check out the new home communities listed above and the homesearch links on my blog, www.FocusOnCrofton.com