Bridge and Tunnel tolls very likely to rise soon

June 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The 60 day public comment period on the proposed Toll Rate Increases for Maryland bridges and tunnels has begun, and will continue until August 1, 2011. The public can submit their comments directly on line here.

This isn’t just an inflation level increase that the Maryland Department of Transportation is recommending, here are the new proposed rates that in all likelihood will take effect later this year:

 

  • Key Bridge from $2 to $3
  • Harbor and Ft. McHenry Tunnel fro $2 to $3
  • Kennedy Highway and Hatem Bridge from $5 to $6
  • Nice Bridge from $3 to $5
  • Bay Bridge from $2.50 to $5

The rates would increase once again in 2013. Some discounts may apply for EZPass users.

While I do understand the need for periodic rate increases, I feel sorry for the commuters who have to use these bridges and tunnels for their daily commute. The occasional visitor to the Eastern Shore will just suck it up, but if you’re commuting every day, that’s going to hurt.

 

Filed Under: Featured, General Information

Annapolis, MD – 2011 Memorial Day Parade

May 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Like a lot of residents in this area, I love a parade. Today, I went to the Memorial Day Parade in Annapolis. I got there in time to get a great seat at the intersection of West Street and Church Circle.

The parade came down West St. and turned onto Church Circle, before heading down Main St. to the City Dock. Weather was wonderful in the morning, and a lot of Annapolis area folks came out to support our veterans.

Veterans, bands, groups, and firetrucks all participated for a fantastic event. If you haven’t been to the Memorial Day Parade in Annapolis yet, make sure you go next year. It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s fantastic.

View additional photos on this link.

 

 

Filed Under: Annapolis MD, Featured Tagged With:

June 18, 2011 – Crofton, MD Ice Cream Social

May 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Hold the date of June 18th for the Annual Crofton Ice Cream Social. The social will be held behind Town Hall from 2 PM to 4 PM. Come on down and enjoy family, friends and residents at one of the most popular Crofton, MD activities of the year.

Filed Under: Crofton MD, Featured

Zillow estimates and your Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton, MD home

April 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By now I’m sure that many of you have heard of Zillow, a real estate portal that’s been around for a couple of years. Zillow may not be the busiest real estate website, but it is ranked right up there in the top performers.

One of the “innovations” Zillow brought to the industry is their “Zestimate.” This is an Automated Valuation Methodology used to come up with the price of a home. Keep in mind that Zillow doesn’t actually visit any of the homes where they offer an opinion on price. They do it using a mathematical formula. There are a lot of neighborhoods in Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton and the surrounding area where a “formula” isn’t going to work all that well.

Updated kitchens and baths…Zillow wouldn’t have a clue. Same goes for Harvest Gold appliances, wallpaper, carpet stains, etc. You get the picture.

What buyers and sellers need to understand about Zillow is that it should be used as a starting point, not a be all, end all. Zillow even publishes their error rates by State and County. You can actually click here to see what it is for Anne Arundel County, MD.

Yesterday, I heard another Realtor® say, “If Zillow provides Zestimates, Realtors provide Zactimates.” That’s it pretty much it in a nutshell. Contact a local Realtor, who is familiar with the market, for a comparative price analysis on your home. Don’t depend on an automated evaluation method.

 

Filed Under: Annapolis MD, Bowie, Crofton MD, Featured

Those pesky real estate signs around Crofton, MD

April 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year where real estate signs are going to be dotting corners all around Crofton, MD. It should come as no surprise, since this is that time of year when real estate is at it’s peak. New homes for sale are coming on the Crofton, MD market every day now.

As a real estate agent here in Crofton, MD, I know how important signs are in the overall marketing of a home for sale. The temporary directional signs point prospective buyers to the semi-permanent signs, usually located on the front lawn.

The directionals are temporary because there are specific rules as to their placement and time. Here in Anne Arundel County, directional signs can’t be placed before 3 PM on Friday, and they must be down before 9 AM, on Monday. If not, they are subject to removal by the County.

I know that there are some residents who really hate real estate signs being placed, even legally. I know because I’ve heard them yelling at me from their cars as they drive by. Maybe they’ll be selling their house someday and will realize the temporary inconvenience is worth it.

Filed Under: Crofton MD, Featured

Crofton MD Homes for Sale – Cedar Grove Sub-division

April 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Crofton, MD home prices are not out of the reach of most buyers. This is true even if you’re a first time homebuyer. One of the affordable sub-divisions where you can purchase a home is Cedar Grove.

Cedar Grove is ideally located right off of Rt. 3 North, near the KMart Shopping Center. All of the condo’s in Cedar Grove are what are called piggy back style. The two upper levels are one unit and there is a separate unit below.

Right now the prices in Cedar Grove range from $169,900 to $219,900. Extremely affordable for this area. The Cedar Grove sub-division has a pool and a community center.

Today, there are only 6 homes for sale in Cedar Grove, Crofton, MD. Clicking on any of the icons on the map below will bring up a page where you can view detailed descriptions of all homes for sale in Cedar Grove at Crofton.

If you’re not already working with an agent to buy or sell a home in Crofton, MD, or the surrounding area, I can help. Call Rich at 443-995-9595.

 

 

Filed Under: Crofton MD, Featured Tagged With: , , ,
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