Ellicott City Realtor Catonsville Realtor

Featured Listing Friday - Featured Community - Single Level Homes in the Village of Oakland Mills.

From time to time I work with Buyers who have a very specific type of property in mind.  In fact, I am working with a Buyer right now who would like a home with these features:

• Most important - a single level home - no stairs
• A smaller home - 2 or 3 bedrooms at the most
• No basement - no waterproofing to worry about, no sump pump headaches

For many Buyers, when looking for these qualities in a home, they believe their options are limited to a Condo.  But what if you would like the ease of living that a Condominium provides, and yet the space and privacy of a single family home?  What if the Buyer would like room to garden, or a private yard with a patio or deck to enjoy the seasons?

In this situation, I always take my Buyers through the homes off of Encounter Row in the Village of Oakland Mills of Columbia.  Most of the homes in this area fit these criteria - they are 2 or 3 Bedroom Single Family Homes, on a single level.  Many of them have the space and sun that a gardening enthusiast would require.

These properties were generally built about 40 years ago, so the nicer properties will have updated Kitchens and/or Bathrooms.  The condition of these homes will vary, but some of them have been very well maintained.  If you would like the convenience of a garage, many of the homes have those as well.

The homes in the neighborhood off Encounter Row in the neighborhood of Stevens Forest have easy access to the walking trails of Columbia.  These homes are a very short walk to the Columbia Association Pool at Stevens Forest.  If you are up for a longer hike, take the walking trails to the Fishing and Recreation provided at nearby Lake Elkhorn.  The Oakland Mills Village Center is less than a mile away, making shopping conveniently close.  Also nearby are the Mall in Columbia, and commuter routes such as Route 29 and 32, and Interstate 95.

Many of the homes are situated on private cul de sacs, and Encounter Row itself is not a through street, which really limits the traffic in the neighborhood.  Stevens Forest Elementary School, Oakland Mills Middle School and Oakland Mills High School are all within easy walking distance.  You can view the school reports for these schools at www.greatschools.net.  School attendance areas can change from year to year, and should be independently verified for each property you view through the school district.  You can contact the Howard County Public School System for this information, or use their handy online School Locator.

Below I've provided a map of the area, as well as a list of homes currently for sale.  If you find yourself looking for the ease of Condo living, with the space and privacy of a Single Family Home, as well as access to the recreation and amenities provided by the Columbia Association, the neighborhood located off of Encounter Row should be your first stop.

Single Level Homes Listed For Sale in Columbia, MD - located off of Encounter Row in the Village of Oakland Mills.

Featured Listing Friday - Spacious Columbia Colonial in Wilde Lake's Running Brook with Many Recent Updates

$399,000

Must See this Beautifully Updated Colonial with Attention to Detail & Fine Craftsmanship Throughout.

• 4 Bedrooms
  
  
• 2 and a Half Bathrooms
  
  
• Beautiful Hardwood Floors Throughout
  
  
• Many Updates Include Newer Windows and Light Fixtures, and Fresh Paint
  
  
• Recently Updated Kitchen with Granite Counters, New Lighting, Stainless Oven and Dishwasher
  
  
• Main Level Includes Separate Laundry Room and Workout/Rec Room
  
  
• Heated and Air Conditioned Sunroom with Vaulted Ceilings, Hardwood Floors, Bar
  
  
• Spacious Master Bedroom wiht Walk in Closet
  
  
• Large Fenced Rear Yard with Hot Tub and Patio
  
  
• Generous Lot is more than 1/4 Acre
  
  
• Meticulously Landscaped and Tastefully Decorated - Move Right In!

School district is Howard County Public Schools, and the home is currently districted for Running Brook Elementary School, Wilde Lake Middle School and Wilde Lake High School.  Schools can change from year to year, and should be independently verified with the school district.  School reports can be seen at www.greatschools.org.

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.

Top Seller Tuesday - Absorption Rates for Columbia

October Absorption Rate for 21044 Zip Code - Columbia, Maryland:
All Homes:  54 weeks of inventory
Detached Homes: 31 weeks of inventory
Townhomes and Condos:  85 weeks of inventory

October Absorption Rate for 21045 Zip Code - Columbia, Maryland:
All Homes:  36 weeks of inventory
Detached Homes:  24 weeks of inventory
Townhomes and Condos:  56 weeks of inventory

Read this post to find out more about Absorption Rates and what they mean.  If you'd like more information about absorption rates for your area, how much your home is worth, or how long it will take to sell your home, please feel free to contact me. 

Featured Listing Friday - Waterfront Columbia Condominium at the Residences at Lake Elkhorn - Just Reduced and Open this Sunday. A condominium community that backs to Lake Elkhorn and offers privacy, fishing, wildlife, a community pool, room to garden and convenient shopping. In a serene wooded setting, this former model home features beautiful landscaping that only awaits your personal touch.

Open Sunday, August 1      1 - 3 pm

• 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
• Great Location for Commuters:  Near to Fort Meade, NSA, and Johns Hopkins APL
• Great for BRAC Relocation

Columbia, MD Community Report

Columbia, MD - #2 of Money Magazine's Top 100 Best Places to Live 2010

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

Columbia, MD Condos - Near Walking and Biking Paths - Perfect for an Active, Oudoor, Easy Care Lifestyle.  Columbia, MD has much to offer for the person who loves the outdoors - walking and running paths, bike trails, wildlife, lake views, fishing and much more.  For the person who wants access to all of these amenities, but doesn't have the time or interest in maintaining a Single Family Home or Townhome, a Columbia Condo can be a great option.

Halfway between the mountains of Western Maryland and the beaches of the Eastern Shore, and halfway between Baltimore and Washington DC, Columbia has an ideal location for both commuting and recreation.  A Columbia Condo offers both access to this locale, and an easy care lifestyle that will suit the busiest of schedules.  The nicest Columbia Condos are located with immediate access to biking and walking trails, and may even provide lake views or access to fishing and wildlife.

And if you enjoy gardening, you don't have to give it up just because you own a condo.  Some Columbia Condos offer room for patio gardens and even room for a garden of your own.  Complementing the easy care of appeal of a Columbia Condo, the Association may take care of all grounds upkeep, allowing you to simply beautify your area without the work involved in yard maintenance.  Be sure to check with the Condo Association to find out what their policies are regarding grounds maintenance.

Click here to find a current list of Columbia Condos.  And as always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Waterfront Columbia Condominiums.  Searching for a Columbia Condo with Water View or Access.

If you are searching for a condominium in Columbia, MD, you will find that the untis available are predominantly 2 Bedrooms with 2 Bathrooms, although both larger and smaller units can be found.  Prices will vary based on market conditions, features of the condominium community, and condition of the unit itself.

In addition to the cost of the unit, you should be prepared to pay the following expenses for a Columbia Condominium:

• Condominium Association Fee (the amount will vary by Association)
• CPRA Tax (gives you access to certain Columbia Association benefits, and discounts toward others)
• Howard County Property Taxes

These costs certianly add to the expense of owning a condo, so what is the appeal of owning a Columbia Condominium?  These units offer a great location for those commuting to Baltimore, Washington DC, or working right in Columbia, and provide a very easy, low maintenance lifestyle, as well as access to the Columbia Association and Howard County Public School System.  The nicest units may offer storage rooms, well kept community grounds, and have a location that is convenient to shopping, swimming, recreation and commuting.

One of the most appealing factors of owning a Columbia Condominium is that many of the untis offer water views, water access or are water front properties.   In fact, that is one of the most often requested searches we hear about:  a Waterfront Columbia Condominium.  Because of the way properties may be listed in the Multiple List Service, you can search for a Waterfront Columbia Condominium in one of three ways:

Waterfront Columbia Condominiums
Water Access Columbia Condominiums
Water View Columbia Condominiums

As you can see from the search results, there are not many of these units available and they are in high demand.  If you'd like to take a look at one of these Waterfront Columbia Condominiums, please feel free to contact me.

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.

View Larger Map

Space and Size Meet Current Design in this Roomy Updated Colonial
Now Only $447,900

Open Sunday 2 pm - 4 pm

Situated on nearly half an acre in the Village of Long Reach, this large Colonial Home features spacious rooms. Paired with updates throughout the home and stylish design selections, this home offers a perfect combination of the space of years past and the lifestyle of today.

Recent Updates include New Carpet through-out, New Kitchen Cabinets & Countertops, Recent Appliances, Fresh Paint, Finished Walkout Lower Level,Cermaic Bathrooms with Artistic Vessel Sinks. Huge Bedrooms have Oversized closets, Ceiling fans, room for sitting areas, and more. Deck overlooks fenced Rear Yard. Stop by and see for yourself - you won't be disappointed!

The Village of Long Reach is an active and involved community. Programs offered by the Village include*:

• Classes such as karate, belly dancing and a full ballet program
• Renting space for parties and meetings
• Special community events, such as block party kits, cul-de-sac landscaping grants, Long Reach Country Fair, neighborhood pool parties, Village-Wide Yard Sales and Kids' Clothes Swaps
• Children's activities, including holiday events and our summer camp, Camp Oasis
• Senior citizens' events, such as the Holiday Lights Tour

Visit www.longreach.org for more information.

Nearby local amenities include Fairway Hills Golf Club, Centennial Park, The Mall in Columbia, Columbia Tot Lots, Walking Paths, Village Centers and More!

*Information provided by the Village of Long Reach. Please visit their website to verify programs offered.

View Larger Map

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

View Larger Map