Fort Meade - USNA - Andrews AFB: July 2009

NAVAL BAGELS near The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis is our early-morning destination most Saturdays.  Not that we couldn't get a bagel or other breakfast treat closer to home... it's just that their bagels are amazing and worth the 15-minute weekly drive.

We first discovered NAVAL BAGELS when it was a carryout location for Bagels And..., owned by Charlie and Eileen Cerniglia.  The Cerniglia's always had a plate of bagels out when I stopped by their house during the sale of their Crofton home - and those were the best bagels I'd ever eaten.  My family became regulars at Bagels And... after that.

Eventually the Cerniglas sold their business to two different buyers, but we remained regular customers at the one near the U.S. Naval Academy in West Annapolis - now known as NAVAL BAGELS.

The purchasers of both locations still serve the Cerniglias' recipes for authentic N.Y. City Bagels, and one of them has the same community ambiance that we enjoy as much as the bagels.  We always check out the big white board that fills the entire wall on the left when we walk in.  It's covered with information that includes a Quote of the Day, birthdays of their customers, daily specials, and announcements of local events. 

On another board mounted above the two metal tables to the right of the door, they post the front page and sports page of The Washington Post for customers to read while they wait or eat.

NAVAL BAGELS has a great system for keeping the flow of people and bagels on track:   When customers place an order, they receive a playing card... that card and their order are written directly on a brown bag.  Customers help themselves to drinks and then pay for both their bagels and drinks when the order is "up".  With this system NAVAL BAGELS is able to handle a huge volume of people and sales with very low overhead and minimal delay.  

The best testimonial for NAVAL BAGELS is probably the many people in and outside the store on weekends.  If you live anywhere within a half hour of there, why not join the crowd and exit Rt. 50 on Rowe Boulevard to try it out someday. You'll find this locally owned business at the corner of Taylor and Ridgely Avenues, on the opposite end of the shopping center from Graul's Market, about two blocks from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Headed to Ocean City from D.C., Baltimore, and their surrounding areas?  NAVAL BAGELS is only about a minute off Rt. 50 East, so stop for a carryout breakfast or lunch on your way.

THE KNOLLS IN CROFTON, MARYLAND - Located in Crofton Village on the west side of Waugh Chapel Road between Johns Hopkins Road and Nantucket Drive.

No list of Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade would be complete without including several neighborhoods in Crofton, MD.

THE  KNOLLS is one of them - a townhome community located in North Crofton, just 15 minutes from Fort Meade, Annapolis, and Bowie Town Center.  All the homes in this community have basements and a few of them even have a garage. 

This subdivision is one of several townhome communities built in Crofton by The Richards Group of Washington over the past 20+ years.  Their homes have always been popular with buyers, both as new construction and in resale.

The home pictured here is one of my favorites in THE KNOLLS - Who wouldn't love the landscaping and flowers flanking this end unit townhome? 

This one is not on the market right now, but two other homes are for sale in THE KNOLLS IN CROFTON - priced at $359,000 and $359,900.  (7/28/2009)

Since January 1, 2009, six homes sales have settled in THE KNOLLS, with an average listing price of $311,266 and selling prices ranging from $277,000-$330,000 for homes in this community near Nantucket Elementary School, the newest school in the area.

Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade - THE KNOLLS in CROFTON

• Search Homes for Sale Only in The Knolls
• Search All Homes, Townhomes and Condos for Sale in Crofton
• Create Your Own Custom Home Search
• Schools in Crofton
• Focus on Crofton (Blog)

Must-read information for anyone relocating to the Fort Meade area in Maryland:

• Fort Meade - What to Expect When You Arrive - 02/10/08
  Families of civilian employees and military personnel relocating to Fort Meade will find a post that covers 5,415 acres, with nearly 70 miles of roads ...  
  
  
• Commuting Guide for Fort George G. Meade and NSA - 04/24/09 
  If you have PCS orders to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, a map of the huge D.C. – Baltimore area may seem a bit overwhelming as you try to decide where to look for a home when you arrive.
  

• Welcome to Fort Meade! - 12/12/07
  I'm sure you have already checked out the website for Fort Meade, so I won't attempt to tell you about the base or its services.  Instead, let me tell you about the surrounding area and five critical steps for Fort Meade-area home buyers.

To view other posts tagged "Fort Meade" just click on this link:  Relocating to Fort George G. Meade Maryland

________________________________________

Thank you for your service to our country! 
I look forward to having an opportunity to serve you and your family. 

As a Navy wife, I experienced several PCS moves myself - not to mention finding, buying and moving my family into a new home while my husband was deployed. I "get" military pay and how the various allowances impact your qualifying to buy a home.  And I know how to help military families move into their own home without any cash "up front" - something you cannot do as a renter. 

I serve military families throughout the, D.C. - Baltimore - Annapolis area, specializing in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland. You can contact me online or by cell/text at 301-346-2923 to help your family relocate to Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, the U.S. Naval Academy, or any other military installation in D.C. or Maryland.

HERITAGE HARBOUR, a Retirement Community Near Crofton Maryland, provides an opportunity for you to stay near the kids and grandkids, shop in your favorite stores, see your old friends and, yes, enjoy the four seasons - all without the responsibilities of home and yard maintenance. 

Instead, you can choose to enjoy community amenities like the pool, clubhouse, and a golf course in right here in Maryland.   Thee's no need for you to relocate to Florida or anywhere else to enjoy the "good life" when you have the option to live in HERITAGE HARBOUR, a Retirement Community Near Crofton Maryland.

Golf is the "magic word" in my family, so let me tell you about HERITAGE HARBOUR - the only retirement community near Crofton with a golf course.  It's located about half way between Crofton and Annapolis Mall, about 10 minutes in each direction.  (Of course, you may choose to join Walden or Crofton Country Club, or play at nearby Eisenhower Golf Course.)

HERITAGE HARBOUR is situated on the South River, where you'll find a pier with 30 boat slips (4-foot depth at mean low tide), a sandy beach, and a place for storing your kayak or canoe. 

The heart of the neighborhood is a Community Lodge with indoor and outdoor pools, fitness rooms, a library, woodwork shop, television studio, auditorium and several meeng rooms. 

Other amenities include a croquet court, shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pit, bocce ball court, and picnic areas near the pool.  The nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, and clubhouse are located elsewhere in the community, near another Club House and Dining Room. 

Many residents at HERITAGE HARBOUR are far from retired - still working full or part-time in Annapolis,  Washington, or Baltimore.  Yet they are attracted to the community for its freedom from lawn and house maintenance.  It gives people the freedom to travel or to spend their free time enjoying all those wonderful amenities!

For your convenience, a 28-passenger bus shuttles residents to Annapolis Mall and other nearby locations, so you don't have to drive unless you want.  There are several "over-55" Retirement Communities near Crofton, but none offer you more than HERITAGE HARBOUR.

_________________________________

HERITAGE HARBOUR REAL ESTATE (7/26/09): 

• Detached Homes - Nine for sale, ranging from $351,500 to $579,900.
• Duplex/Semi-detached Homes -  Four for sale, $304,900 to 409,900
• Apartments (Mid-rise and Garden) - Ten for sale, $199,900 to $525,000
• Townhomes - Eleven for sale, $223,000 - $369,000

The number of homes sold in the last three months (20) is UP since the same three months last year (15), so that's a good indicator of the demand for homes in HERITAGE HARBOUR.

_________________________________

I say again... why go South when you retire?  You can have all these amenities in a Retirement Community near Crofton AND still enjoy your family and friends nearby!

• Search Heritage Harbour Homes for Sale
  
• Create Your Own Custom Home Search
• Focus on Crofton (Blog)

P.S. - Worried about selling your current home?  Let's talk... maybe I can help!

Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade include hundreds of detached homes in the community of FOUR SEASONS ESTATES in Gambrills, Maryland, about fifteen minutes east of the post.

While SEVEN OAKS and PINEY ORCHARD appeal to many civilian and military personnel stationed in the area because homes are a little newer and closer to the post, others much prefer to find an Affordable Home Near Fort Meade and NSA that's NOT a townhome or condo. 

Detached homes in FOUR SEASONS ESTATES are older, but they're also priced in the same range as townhomes and condos of other nearby communities.  Many of them have updated kitchens, bathrooms, windows, etc., and those that need improvement usually come with lower pricetags - perfect for the handyman who wants to grow property value with sweat equity.

FOUR SEASONS ESTATES is the perfect place to find your next home if you're looking for an affordable DETACHED home Near Fort Meade.

They were built with 1400-1800 sq. ft. in the seventies by Washington Homes.  Most of them have gas heat, but homes on the south side of Waugh Chapel Road have heat pumps.  A few of them are duplexes, but the majority are detached homes... and there are no townhomes or condos in this community.

For recreation, many residents join the Waugh Chapel Swim Club, within walking distance of many homes in FOUR SEASONS ESTATES.  And, with so many recreation opportunities on post at Fort Meade, there's plenty to do nearby.

REAL ESTATE in FOUR SEASONS ESTATES:

At this moment (7/25/09) there are just thirteen affordable homes Near Fort Meade in FOUR SEASONS ESTATES, Gambrills, MD on the market for sale:

• Detached Homes:  Eleven homes, priced from $275,000 to $399,900
  Note:  My listing (pictured above) is the lowest priced detached home in Four Seasons Estates. 
• Duplexes:  Two homes, priced at $265,000
• Townhomes and Condos: None

You will find information about Four Seasons Schools at Schools in Crofton (Gambrills is considered part of the "Greater Crofton Area").   If you want to figure out which school is assigned to any home you're considering, just click on this FOUR SEASONS SCHOOL LOCATOR.  Additionally, the regional Parochial School, School of the Incarnation, is located t Symphony Lane and Waugh Chapel Road, within walking distance of many homes in FOUR SEASONS ESTATES, including my listing (pictured above).

FIND HOMES FOR SALE IN FOUR SEASONS ESTATES

Don't miss the earlier posta in this series: Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade - SEVEN OAKS and PINEY ORCHARD.  Coming later this week:  THE KNOLLS in Crofton.

More must-read information for anyone relocating to the Fort Meade area:

• Fort Meade - What to Expect When You Arrive - 02/10/08
  Families of civilian employees and military personnel relocating to Fort Meade will find a post that covers 5,415 acres, with nearly 70 miles of roads ...  
  
  
• Commuting Guide for Fort George G. Meade and NSA - 04/24/09 
  If you have PCS orders to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, a map of the huge D.C. – Baltimore area may seem a bit overwhelming as you try to decide where to look for a home when you arrive.
  

• Welcome to Fort Meade! - 12/12/07
  I'm sure you have already checked out the website for Fort Meade, so I won't attempt to tell you about the base or its services.  Instead, let me tell you about the surrounding area and five critical steps for Fort Meade-area home buyers.

To view other posts tagged "Fort Meade" just click on this link:  Relocating to Fort George G. Meade Maryland

________________________________________

Thank you for your service to our country! 
I look forward to having an opportunity to serve you and your family. 

As a Navy wife, I experienced several PCS moves myself - not to mention finding, buying and moving my family into a new home while my husband was deployed. I "get" military pay and how the various allowances impact your qualifying to buy a home.  And I know how to help military families move into their own home without any cash "up front" - something you cannot do as a renter. 

I serve military families throughout the, D.C. - Baltimore - Annapolis area, specializing in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland. You can contact me online or by cell/text at 301-346-2923 to help your family relocate to Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, the U.S. Naval Academy, or any other military installation in D.C. or Maryland.

Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade at PINEY ORCHARD in Odenton MD -

As I mentioned yesterday in the first post of my series about Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade, you'll find lots of different options beyond the Fort Meade gates if you prefer to live off-post.  In fact, there are many desirable communities in five nearby counties:  Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery and Baltimore Counties.

Two nearby communities in Odenton usually top the wish-list for military and civilian personnel relocating to Fort Meade and NSA, however, so we're looking at them first:  SEVEN OAKS (yesterday) and PINEY ORCHARD (below).  Chances are good you'll find your next home without looking any further!

PINEY ORCHARD:

For newer Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade and NSA check out PINEY ORCHARD, about 5-10 minutes east of the post.  You won't run out of things to do there with a nice fitness center, several pools, playgrounds for the kids, walking paths and more.  And there's a new elementary school (pictured below) that's within walking distance for many neighborhood children.

There are condos in PINEY ORCHARD, as well as rental apartments, detached homes,and townhomes - both traditional style and back-to-back.  At this moment (7/24/09) there are ninety-two homes on the market for sale in Piney Orchard, as follows:

Detached Homes:  No detached homes for sale in PINEY ORCHARD at this time.  They tend to be priced in the $400's and $500's, depending on the size, condition, and location.

Condo Apartments:  Forty-five available, ranging from $174,900-$359,900.  Some of them, however, are limited to owners/occupants over 55 so be sure to read the listing carefully.

Townhomes:  Forty-seven available, ranging from $235,000-$399,900.  Again, some of them are limited to owners/occupants over 55 - but most are not.

In addition to the new Piney Orchard Elementary School, some students attend Four Seasons Elementary.  Both elementary schools feed into Arundel Middle and Middle Senior High School.  For more information on Piney Orchard schools, click on Schools in Crofton (The Greater Crofton Area includes Piney Orchard).  If you want to figure out which school is assigned to any home you're considering, just click on SCHOOLS IN PINEY ORCHARD.

Find Homes for Sale in Piney Orchard, Odenton, MD
Coming tomorrow:  Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade - FOUR SEASONS ESTATES

Don't miss the earlier post, Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade - SEVEN OAKS.  Coming next:  Afordable Homes Near Fort Meade - FOUR SEASONS ESTATES

More must-read information for anyone relocating to the Fort Meade area:

• Fort Meade - What to Expect When You Arrive - 02/10/08
  Families of civilian employees and military personnel relocating to Fort Meade will find a post that covers 5,415 acres, with nearly 70 miles of roads ...  
  
  
• Commuting Guide for Fort George G. Meade and NSA - 04/24/09 
  If you have PCS orders to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, a map of the huge D.C. – Baltimore area may seem a bit overwhelming as you try to decide where to look for a home when you arrive.
  

• Welcome to Fort Meade! - 12/12/07
  I'm sure you have already checked out the website for Fort Meade, so I won't attempt to tell you about the base or its services.  Instead, let me tell you about the surrounding area and five critical steps for Fort Meade-area home buyers.

To view other posts tagged "Fort Meade" just click on this link:  Relocating to Fort George G. Meade Maryland

________________________________________

Thank you for your service to our country! 
I look forward to having an opportunity to serve you and your family. 

As a Navy wife, I experienced several PCS moves myself - not to mention finding, buying and moving my family into a new home while my husband was deployed. I "get" military pay and how the various allowances impact your qualifying to buy a home.  And I know how to help military families move into their own home without any cash "up front" - something you cannot do as a renter. 

I serve military families throughout the, D.C. - Baltimore - Annapolis area, specializing in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland. You can contact me online or by cell/text at 301-346-2923 to help your family relocate to Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, the U.S. Naval Academy, or any other military installation in D.C. or Maryland.

AFFORDABLE HOMES NEAR FORT MEADE are easy to find!

If you don't want to live on post, you'll find lots of different options beyond the Fort Meade gates.  In fact, there are many Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade in five different counties, all within an hour:  Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery and Baltimore Counties in Maryland.

Two nearby communities are probably the most popular ones for both military and civilian personnel attached to Fort Meade, however, so let's take a look at them first:  SEVEN OAKS (see below) and PINEY ORCHARD (tomorrow).  You may not feel the need to look any further after you check out their convenience, homes, and neighborhood amenities.

SEVEN OAKS

By far the closest community with Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade in Maryland is SEVEN OAKS in Odenton.  It is located literally across the street from Fort Meade, i.e. the Mapes Gate on Rt. 175.  The entrance to this community is marked by the clubhouse (pictured below) and pool, which is available to all Seven Oaks residents.

You'll find rental apartments, detached homes, and townhomes - both traditional style and back-to-back.  Here's a breakdown of homes on the market for sale now (7/24/09) in SEVEN OAKS, just to give you an idea of what to expect:

Detached Homes:  Eight available for sale now, ranging from $330,000 - $499,990.  I know what you're thinking, if you're relocating from less expensive areas of the country... But honestly, these are VERY affordable compared to most of the D.C.-Baltimore area.

Townhomes: Thirty-seven available, ranging from $210,000 to $354,900.  The newest ones are 3-4 years old, and the oldest townhomes are closer to 20 years old.

To find out which schools your children will attend when you live in Seven Oaks, simply enter the address of any home that interests you, just click on SCHOOLS IN SEVEN OAKS.  Once you identify the school, you can learn more about it by selecting the link to that school HERE.

If convenience is a home-buying priority for you, you'll want to look at the affordable homes near Fort Meade in SEVEN OAKS, located in Odenton, Maryland.

Find Homes for Sale in Seven Oaks

Coming tomorrow - Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade - PINEY ORCHARD

Must-read information for anyone relocating to the Fort Meade area in Maryland:

• Fort Meade - What to Expect When You Arrive - 02/10/08
  Families of civilian employees and military personnel relocating to Fort Meade will find a post that covers 5,415 acres, with nearly 70 miles of roads ...  
  
  
• Commuting Guide for Fort George G. Meade and NSA - 04/24/09 
  If you have PCS orders to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, a map of the huge D.C. – Baltimore area may seem a bit overwhelming as you try to decide where to look for a home when you arrive.
  

• Welcome to Fort Meade! - 12/12/07
  I'm sure you have already checked out the website for Fort Meade, so I won't attempt to tell you about the base or its services.  Instead, let me tell you about the surrounding area and five critical steps for Fort Meade-area home buyers.

To view other posts tagged "Fort Meade" just click on this link:  Relocating to Fort George G. Meade Maryland

________________________________________

Thank you for your service to our country! 
I look forward to having an opportunity to serve you and your family. 

As a Navy wife, I experienced several PCS moves myself - not to mention finding, buying and moving my family into a new home while my husband was deployed. I "get" military pay and how the various allowances impact your qualifying to buy a home.  And I know how to help military families move into their own home without any cash "up front" - something you cannot do as a renter. 

I serve military families throughout the, D.C. - Baltimore - Annapolis area, specializing in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland. You can contact me online or by cell/text at 301-346-2923 to help your family relocate to Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, the U.S. Naval Academy, or any other military installation in D.C. or Maryland.

DETACHED HOMES IN OLD CROFTON were constructed in the 60's and 70's, with few exceptions.

"Old Crofton" is considered by most people to be the triangle bordered by Rt. 3 to the West, Rt. 450 to the South, and Rt. 424 to the North, although there are some newer homes within that area, as well.  (Routes 450 and 424 intersect to the East of Crofton.)

The first Detached Homes in Crofton were built by Hamilton Crawford, the Louisiana developer who planned this community along with his friend Howard Davis, an engineer who accompanied him from Louisiana.  Howard's wife, Louise, sold hundreds of townhouses and Detached Homes in Old Crofton - many of them with little more than drawings on paper and her southern charm, long before construction even began on the first model home.

Their vision was an exclusive community built around a golf course, with detached homes along the fairways separated from townhomes along the outer edges of the community by the "main street" known as Crofton Parkway, which circles the community.  Schools and churches would be built within walking distance of the homes, and security gates would protect Crofton residents from the outside world.

Crofton has expanded beyond those gates to become a zipcode, and the gates are purely decorative now.  But the community designed by Hamilton Crofton, now known as "Old Crofton" is a beautiful neighborhood with blooming cherry trees and American flags lining Crofton Parkway, sidewalks along every street, and a brick-paved Village Green near the entrance to the community.

If living in this environment appeals to you, you'll be happy to know there are currently fifteen Detached Homes in Old Crofton on the market ranging from $415,000 to $615,000 (7/23/09).  Six of them were built by either Levitt & Sons or ITT Levitt, and six others were built by Hamilton Crawford.  Three "newer" homes, built in the 80's, round out the offerings, for a wide selection of styles and sizes for these Detached Homes for Sale in Old Crofton.

Generally speaking, the Levitt homes are built on slabs without crawl space or basement, and most of the other Detached Homes in Old Crofton do have either full or partial basements.  Except for those homes built in the 80's, gas heat is the norm, and most homes were built with a garage.  Crawford homes stand out above the others for amenities with their standard hardwood floors, maple siding and brick exteriors, sold wood interior doors, central vacuum systems, and a heat lamp in every bathroom - truly "state of the art' at the time they were built.

For more information about living in Old Crofton, click on these links and do a little exploring:

• Schools in Crofton
• Search Detached Homes for Sale in Old Crofton
• Search All Homes, Townhomes and Condos for Sale in Crofton
• Create Your Own Custom Home Search
• Focus on Crofton (Blog)
  

PHOTOS:  MWoda (copyright)

SCHOOLS IN CROFTON MARYLAND are the Number One reason home buyers give for choosing this area to live, among many communities throughout the D.C.-Baltimore area. 

They're among the best in Maryland... and Maryland schools are ranked FIRST in the nation according to the Quality Counts 2009 Report for Education Week Magazine, moving up from third last year, and also by Newsweek Magazine in its report on Mid-Atlantic Excellence.  Additionally, the College Board ranks Md. AP performance and participation No. 1.  Chances are excellent that Schools in Crofton and throughout Maryland are better than the schools you're leaving behind in other parts of the country.

When you first relocated to the D.C.-Baltimore area, chances are good that "How are schools in Crofton Maryland?" was the first question you asked before choosing a community and neighborhood, let alone a specific home.  No doubt about it, that's something I hear from nearly every client the first time we meet.  I'm fortunate to live and work in a community where I can deliver "good schools" to home buyers, including schools that my own children attended.

Let me tell you a little about each of the elementary schools in this area and I'll follow up next week with another post about middle and high schools in Crofton Maryland.

CROFTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 1405 Duke of Kent Street

Grades K-5, 726 students, opened in 1969.  Feeder system:  Crofton Middle and Arundel Senior
Student performance: 91.7 Math; 98.2 Reading; 83.2 Science

CROFTON MEADOWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 2020 Tilghman Drive

Grades K-5, 426 students, opened in 1989.  Feeder system:  Crofton Middle and South River Senior
Student performance: 93,1 Math; 100 Reading; 77.4 Science

CROFTON WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 1750 Urby Drive

Grades K-5, 534 students, opened in 1971.  Feeder system:  Crofton Middle and South River Senior
Student performance:  92.6 Math; 96.8 Reading; 93.7 Science

DAVIDSONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 962 W. Central Avenue

Grades K-5, 632 students, opened in 2002.  Feeder system:  Central Middle and South River Senior
Student performance: 97.2 Math; 98.1 Reading; 88 Science

FOUR SEASONS ELEMENTARY - 979 Waugh Chapel Road

Grades K-5, students, opened in   . Feeder system:  Arundel Middle and Arundel Senior High
Student performance: 91.8 Math; 100 Reading; 80.7 Science

NANTUCKET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 2350 Nantucket Drive

Grades K-5, 641 students, opened in 2008.  Feeder system:  Crofton Middle and Arundel Senior
Student performance:  86.7 Math; 94.7 Reading; Science not available

ODENTON ELEMENTARY -1290 Odenton Road

Grades K-5, 375 students, opened in 1930.  Feeder system:; Arundel Middle and Arundel Senior
Student performance: 70.3 Math; 86.5 Reading; 64.5 Science

PINEY ORCHARD ELEMENTARY - 2641 Strawberry Lake Way

Grades K-5, 550 students, opened in 2000.  Feeder system: Arundel Middle and Arundel Senior
Student performance:  91. 5 Math; 96.8 Reading; 83.8 Science

WAUGH CHAPEL ELEMENTARY - 840 Sunflower Drive

Grades K-5, 389 students, opened in 1967.  Feeder system:  Arundel Middle and Arundel Senior
Student performance:  88.7 Math; 90.3 Reading; 74.6 Science

Student performance data based on Grade 5 testing: 2009 Maryland Report Card

With so many fine elementary Schools in Crofton Maryland and the nearby communities of Gambrills and Odenton, you may be wondering which school goes with each home you're considering.  Anne Arundel County Public Schools makes it fairly easy for you to determine that with this LOCATE MY SCHOOL button.

Let me close with this thought:  All the school statistics and test scores in the world won't tell you the whole story about Schools in Crofton Maryland.  PEOPLE are the key to quality education anywhere - teachers, administrators, community volunteers and involved parents.  We have them all here and throughout the Greater Crofton area.

It's true...  Schools in Crofton Maryland are the Number 1 reason home buyers give for choosing this area to live!

It's a myth that all Crofton area real estate agents and companies are alike...

Real estate agents and companies may all look and sound alike, but they don't all get results for their clients.  That's because some agents and companies provide super service and marketing, while others just put listings in MLS and wait for co-op agents to find and sell them.  The listing agents and companies who get better results do more to get their listings sold, much more - it's not just luck!  Which begs these questions:

If your home doesn't sell, is it due to market conditions or the agent and company?  How is a home seller in Crofton (or anywhere in the world) to know if the services provided by their agent are sub-standard, average, or top-o'- the line? 

Perhaps this will help:

YOUR AGENT MAY BE A LAZY BUM IF HE/SHE...

1. Doesn't take or return your calls.
2. Doesn't respond promptly to inquiries from prospective buyers and co-op agents.
   
3. Doesn't notify you when your property is shown.
4. Doesn't provide you with feedback from all showings.
5. Doesn't install a key lockbox.
6. Doesn't install a "for sale" sign.
7. Doesn't provide an attractive information brochure for prospective buyers to pick up at your home.
8. Doesn't promote your property on traditional AND non-traditional Internet real estate sites.
9. Doesn't make recommendations regarding property condition and staging.
10. Doesn't provide a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA).
    
11. Doesn't provide a Market Trends Analysis.
12. Doesn't put photos of your home in the MLS.
13. Doesn't include details about your home (such as room dimensions) in the MLS.
14. Doesn't explain all the paperwork you sign.
15. Doesn't provide copies of all the paperwork you sign.
16. Doesn't touch base weekly to update you on his/her marketing activities.
    
17. Doesn't provide monthly updates to the CMA and Market Trends Analysis.
18. Doesn't keep you informed about interest rates and other economic conditions which could impact the sale of your home.
19. Doesn't assist you with finding your next home.
20. Doesn't take or return your calls (That's worth repeating, don't you agree?)

This list was inspired by Crofton area home sellers who recently fired their agent. "Lazy Bum" is the term they used.

That myth - "all real estate agents and companies are alike" - is simply not true.  (And most agents in this area cannot be described as a "Lazy Bum".)  But now you know how to recognize any that are... just in case you happen to come across one.

An experienced agent who works hard for you is your best weapon when it comes to selling your Crofton home in this crazy real estate market.  Some homes are selling!  (Just ask Cindy Quinn, whose home sold the same day I listed it - at full price!)

If you're relocating to the Fort Meade area in Maryland, this is for you. 

It doesn't matter if you're military or civilian, or whether your destination is on post or off... It doesn't matter if you're NSA-bound or simply want to enjoy the services and facilities available to military families at Fort Meade while working in nearby D.C. or Baltimore.

There's plenty of information available online, but who wants to run Googe searches all night to find it when you can start with this collection of posts about relocating to the Fort Meade area in Anne Arundel County.

FORT MEADE RELOCATION GUIDE

• Fort Meade - What to Expect When You Arrive - 02/10/08 08:50 AM
  Families of civilian employees and military personnel relocating to Fort Meade will find a post that covers 5,415 acres, with nearly 70 miles of roads ...  
  
  
• Commuting Guide for Fort George G. Meade and NSA - 04/24/09 07:24 AM  
  If you have PCS orders to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, a map of the huge D.C. – Baltimore area may seem a bit overwhelming as you try to decide where to look for a home when you arrive.
  
  
• School Locator for Fort Meade Area Home Buyers - 01/24/09 09:05 PM
  Headed to Fort Meade?  If so, you may be surprised to learn there are many neighborhoods within 30 minutes - in five, yes FIVE, counties.  That means five entirely separate school systems, not to mention dozens of schools, that your children may attend when you relocate to the area.

• Welcome to Fort Meade! - 12/12/07 11:57 AM
  I'm sure you have already checked out the website for Fort Meade, so I won't attempt to tell you about the base or its services.  Instead, let me tell you about the surrounding area and five critical steps for Fort Meade-area home buyers.

To view other posts tagged "Fort Meade" just click on this link:  Relocating to Fort George G. Meade Maryland

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Thank you for your service to our country!  I look forward to having an opportunity to serve you and your family. 

As a Navy wife, I experienced several PCS moves myself - not to mention finding, buying and moving my family into a new home while my husband was deployed. I "get" military pay and how the various allowances impact your qualifying to buy a home.  And I know how to help military families move into their own home without any cash "up front" - something you cannot do as a renter. 

I serve military families throughout the, D.C. - Baltimore - Annapolis area, specializing in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland. You can contact me online or by cell/text at 301-346-2923 to help your family relocate to Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, the U.S. Naval Academy, or any other military installation in D.C. or Maryland.