Ellicott City Realtor Catonsville Realtor

This Weekend's Open House Report - Open Houses in Catonsville, Ellicott City, Elkridge and Columbia

The following is a list of the open houses in our area this weekend.  If you see a home you like, or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

• Catonsville Open Houses 

 

• Ellicott City Open Houses

 

• Elkridge Open Houses

 

• Columbia Open Houses

Please note, that these are the open houses that are recorded in the Multiple List Service as of Friday afternoon, and may not include all properties open this weekend.  Open house information was provided by the Listing Agent, and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Featured Listing Friday - Beautifully Decorated Hampstead Home - 4 Bedrooms, Now Under $300,000!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home has been well cared for by original owner. Features a large First Floor Family Room with Brick Fireplace and Skylights. European style kitchen cabinets and wood floors, with recent stove and microwave. Deck overlooks rear yard.

• 4 Bedrooms
  
• 3 1/2 Bathrooms
  
• Finished Lower Level Rec Room with Full Bath
  
• Large Bedrooms
  
• Tastefully Decorated
  
• Manicured Landscape
  
• Covered Front Porch
  
• Off Street Parking

 

See more at www.4286NorthWoodsTrail.com







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Thursday Q & A - Your Maryland Real Estate Investing Questions Answered

Q:  I'm thinking of purchasing an investment property that was built in 1942.  What are the concerns about lead based paint?

A:  Any property built before 1950 has to be registered with the EPA because of the concern over the presence of lead based paint.  There are still Agents listing properties and representing Sellers that haven't taken this step.

My advice:  if you are purchasing a pre-1950 property as an investment property, make the Seller register the property with the EPA.  Otherwise, you  could be buying a lead paint problem.  AND...if there is a tenant in the property, you are putting yourself in a legally vulnerable position.

If you'd like more information on investing in Real Estate in Maryland, please feel free to contact me.

What Kind of Home Can I Buy in Catonsville for Under $300,000?  I get asked this question a lot.  When you know what's most important to you, finding a home in Catonsville that fits your budget doesn't have to be a challenge.

The answer to this question begins with whether you are looking for a home in Catonsville that is a Single Family Home, a Townhome, or a Condominium.  Keep in mind when you are searching, that although I provide neighborhood names here, not every home in Catonsville is in a named subdivision.  If you are searching online for a Catonsville home, the best way to search is by zip code: 21228 and 21229.

If you are looking for a Catonsville Single Family Home under $300,000, the neighborhoods where you will have the most success are

• Meridale Little Farms
• Westview Park
• Catonsville Heights
• Catonsville Manor
• Woodbridge Valley
• Edmondson Ridge
• Colonial Gardens. 

The home you are likely to find will be an older home on a smaller lot, but if you are lucky, you can find one that has been renovated and/or updated with a newer kitchen and bathrooms and features off street parking.  Keep in mind that these homes will be ‘starter homes', with 2 or 3 bedrooms, and 1 or 2 bathrooms.

Click here for a current list of Catonsville Single Family Homes under $300,000.

 

If you are looking for a Catonsville Townhome under $300,000, you are going to find that they are most likely to be the ‘rowhome' style, built in the 1930's up until the 1990's, and will generally have 3 Bedrooms and 1 Bathroom.  The nicer units will have 2 Bedrooms, a finished basement, and will probably not have a garage, although you might get lucky, as there are a few communities that have garage townhomes in Catonsville.  The neighborhoods to look in include:

• Academy Heights
• near Prospect Avenue
• Medwick Garth
• Westowne
• Eastshire.

Click here for a current list of Catonsville Townhomes under $300,000.

 

And if you are looking for a Catonsville Condominium under $300,000, those units are very rare.  They will probably have 2 Bedrooms and 1 or 2 Bathrooms, and will be located in:

• Westchester
• Catonsville Mews
• Kenwood Gardens
• Catonsville Gateway.

Click here for a current list of Catonsville Condominiums under $300,000.

I grew up in Catonsville myself, and I've been helping people find Catonsville homes for more than 25 years.  If you'd like more information about homes in Catonsville, please feel free to contact me.

 

Top Seller Tuesdays - Spend a Little, Get a Lot! A series of weekly tips for sellers that are simple, quick and designed to bring you top value.

• Crayon and marker on walls require treatment before painting the room. Sand the marked area with sandpaper; seal it with shellac and then paint over the spot. This will enable the paint to stick and cover the marks.

If you'd like more information about preparing your home for sale, feel free to contact me.

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If you have any questions about this report, feel free to give me a call, or click here to request more information.

Howard County Real Estate Market Update, May 2010

Featured Listing Friday - Private, Patio Level Condominium in the Resdences at Lake Elkhorn.

NEW REDUCED PRICE!
Now Offered At $223,000

A condominium community that backs to Lake Elkhorn and offers privacy, fishing, wildlife, a community pool, and convenient shopping. In a serene wooded setting, this former model home features beautiful landscaping that only awaits your personal touch.

• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• New Appliances and Countertops
• New Heating and Air Conditioner and Hot
• Water Heater
• Fireplace
• Built in Shelves and Finely Crafted Woodwork
• Hardwood Floors
• Ceramic Tile
• Soaking Tub in Master Bath
• Patio Level
• Custom Light Fixtures
• Large Rear Patio
• Bonus Storage Room
• Village of Owen Brown
• Talbott Springs Elementary School
• Cradlerock Middle School
• Oakland Mills High School

For more information, please feel free to visit the website or contact me.

 

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In addition to Real Estate, another thing I am passionate about is sports.  Not only do I play sports myself, but I also volunteer with and serve on the Board of the League of Dreams.  The League of Dreams is a charitable organization that provides baseball and softball experiences to all individuals regardless of their physical or mental challenges by hosting free clinics, leagues, tournaments and special events.  Through the League of Dreams, these players have the opportunity to 'hit one out of the park' or score the winning run, as well as develop lifelong fitness habits.

On Saturday, July 17th I am a Sponsor and the Chairperson of The Crab Ball - A Summer Celebration of Music, Cocktails, and Award Winning Crabcakes, held at Michael's Cafe in Timonium.  Tickets are only $10! Come and enjoy reduced food and drink prices, live performances by Jah Works, Ellen Cherry, Checkered Past, Still Counting, and Maynard and the Mobtown Saints.

At 7:30 pm, we'll be holding the Maryland Crabcake Eating Contest, and the winner will receive $500 cash and free crab cakes for a year.  To register for the contest, visit www.michaelscafe.com.

At 9 pm, Coy Pond will offer champagne cocktails and summer wine tasting.  The party will continue on until 2 am, with an encore performance by Still Counting.

I'd love it if my friends could join me for this event.  If you'd like to purchase tickets, please contact me, or visit www.missiontix.com.  See you there!

Top Seller Tuesdays - Spend a Little, Get a Lot!  A series of weekly tips for sellers that are simple, quick and designed to bring you top value.

 

• Consider renting a bank safe deposit box to store cash and small valuables as long as your house is being shown.

 

If you'd like more information about preparing your home for sale, feel free to contact me.

April 2010 Baltimore Metro MarketWatch Video - Housing Sales Statistics for the Baltimore Metro Area Including Baltimore County, Carroll County and Howard County