Ellicott City Realtor Catonsville Realtor

If a Tree is Cut in Columbia, Does it Make a Sound?  Only if a Quorum of Members Voted for Approval.  If you are thinking of relocating to Columbia, MD, you may be aware that the homes in this planned community are subject to the CC&R's as written by the Columbia Association.  While this Association has many benefits, too many to list here in this blog, you should also be aware that an important part of these covenants state that if you want to make any alteration to your home's exterior, that alteration is subject to Columbia's Exterior Alteration Application Process, the final outcome of which is dependent on a quorum of members voting on the merit of the application.

Keep in mind that this policy applies to fencing, landscaping (planting and removing), decks installation or removal, walkways, patios, driveways, play structures, air conditioning units, privacy screening, and pretty much anything else you can think of when it comes to making a change to your property.

For instance, if you want to remove a tree from your property, if the tree trunk diameter is greater than 6 inches, you must get approval.  This plan was put in place many years ago with all of the best intentions to preserve trees in the neighborhood.  It's a reasonable goal - or is it?

What if the tree is encroaching on a structure on the property?  In some cases, homeowner's insurance requires removal of branches that hang over the roof.  What if a tree is dying?  Or what if the tree is a species that attract pesky bugs, which then infest the home?  (I've had this happen).  What if, due to the size and slope of the lot, there are safety concerns with the location of the tree?

What if your reason is less about safety, but more about aesthetics or lifestyle?  Maybe you're tired of raking leaves and cleaning out your gutters.  Maybe your entire back yard is wooded, and you'd like a little grass, which is nearly impossible to grow in full shade.  Maybe you'd like to install a play structure, and don't have enough room without removing a tree.  Maybe you just don't like trees.

CC&R's, or Community Covenants and Restrictions, are not necessarily a negative thing.  And the goal of the CC&R's is often for the benefit of the community as a whole.  As a Realtor, I simply advocate to those looking to relocate to Columbia that they should be aware of the covenants, and how it will affect them.

Another Case of the IWishIWoulda's - How to Talk to Your Realtor when you are Relocating to Maryland

Because here in Howard and Baltimore County we have a reasonable commute to Washington D.C. as well as Baltimore, and because of all of the nearby military and government employment opportunities, we get a lot of buyer relocations.  My advice to these buyers: 

• Find a short term rental in or near the community you are considering
• Get to know the neighborhood
• Get to know the commuter routes, and your own commute
• Tour the schools
• Talk to the neighbors

In other words, live your life in that community!

In 25 years of real estate here in Howard County and Baltimore County, I've seen it a lot.  Time and again, I get the phone call:  "Tim, IwishIwoulda looked at the schools before I move here", or "IwishIwoulda known the commute was this long".

If you are relocating here to Maryland, even if you are working with a relocation company and have a relocation package, make sure your Realtor both knows and understands you, your family, how you live, where you work, where you shop and what matters most to you.

If your Realtor doesn't know this information, or if the Realtor doesn't care, you may end up with someone who is more interested in closing a deal than in helping you find the right home for you.

It's easy to get caught up in the emotion of a relocation - you find a newer home, things are looking up, the neighborhood seems fine enough, the commute will probably work....the lifestyle has appeal.  Your Realtor is there to know what matters most to you, even when the emotions run high.

Don't be afraid to discuss with a Realtor, before you view properties, the things that are most important to you.  Take my advice, and spare yourself the frustration of the Maryland Relocation IwishIwoulda's.