Crofton, MD continues to have a strong real estate market here at the beginning of 2011. For the week ending 1/22/11, 7 new active listings were added to the inventory. An excellent combination of townhouses and single family detached homes. The inventory was getting a little stagnant, and these new entries should generate some buyer interest. We’re not quite at the peak of the market for new listings, and the addition of 7 last week is a little unexpected. Sellers trying to get a jump on the market in all likelihood. The rental market jumped the shark last week with 6 applications pending, 2 actual rentals, and 4 new rental listings. The Crofton, MD rental market continues to exceed expectations. 5 homes went under Contract/No Kick out status, and another 4 went under full Contract ... 01/23/2011

If you’re ready to jump into the foreclosure market, Crofton, MD might be a good place to explore. While Crofton isn’t known for it’s foreclosures, it isn’t immune either. There has been a slow, steady increase in the number of foreclosures in Crofton, MD last year and now in 2011. Today, January 23, 2011, there are 13 foreclosed properties for potential buyer’s to choose from. This number is the highest it’s been in about a year, and pretty unusual for Crofton, MD. The current active inventory is 109 homes for sale. This includes townhouses, condo's and detached homes. Statistically, less than 10% of all homes sold last year in Crofton, MD were foreclosures. Contrast that to Bowie, MD, where over 33% of all homes sold in 2010 were in the foreclosure category. Purchasing a Crofton, MD ... 01/23/2011

BALTIMORE RESTAURANT WEEK takes place January 21–30, 2011 in every corner of the city.  Pre-fixed prices guarantee you can dine within your budget:  $35.11 for dinner and $20.11 for lunch.   Whether you're in the mood for seafood or steak, Italian or Greek, there's bound to be something you will enjoy. Why not use this as an opportunity to explore Baltimore's many unique neighborhoods, including Fell's Point, Little Italy, Mount Vernon, the Inner Harbor, Canton, Federal Hill, Hampden, Harbor East… the list goes on and on.  For a complete list of restaurants, including links to their menus and a map, just click on Baltimore Restaurant Week.  You can even book reservations online for most of them. But that's not all… BALTIMORE COUNTY RESTAURANT WEEK is already underway and continues until... 01/19/2011

  Now that you've selected Crofton, MD as your destination of choice to buy a home, it’s time to drill down into the specific neighborhoods. Crofton has several, and they’re all different. One of the ones that should be high on your list is going to be Chapman Farm. This unique subdivision is made up exclusively of single family detached homes. Built in the late 90's, these homes have a lot to offer. Most with finished basements, nine foot ceilings and maintenance free exteriors. Chapman Farm is a community with houses for sale starting in the mid $400's and going over $600 in some cases. This report does show one Chapman Farm short sale listed at $450,000. This is a 4 br, 2.5 bath home. Today, there are 4 homes for sale in Chapman Farm, Crofton, MD. Clicking on any of the icons on the... 01/19/2011

LAKE LOUISE - January's Featured Community in Crofton MD Crofton is a community of many wonderful neighborhoods, and I'm pleased to announce LAKE LOUISE as the featured neighborhood for January. Whether you're interested in renting or buying a Crofton home, you'll want to check out the LAKE LOUISE townhomes, located just inside the main gate to Old Crofton.   If you're thinking about renting a home in the D.C. area, chances are you're looking at $2,000 a month for rent.  In fact, it costs that much or more for a one bedroom apartment in some popular close-in communities such as Bethesda MD or Arlington VA.  Or you can rent a 3-level 3-bedroom Lake Louise townhome in Crofton MD for $1800 and commute into D.C. via Metro or car.  Most people find it takes less about an hour to reach the do... 01/18/2011

Crofton MD Real Estate Market Update (21114)December 2010 HOME SELLERS: There was a 23% increase in home sales last month (16) from December 2009 (13).  In fact, last month's home sales were higher than the previous month, as well (14).  I'm very happy to report this reversal in the four years of falling home sales since 2006 when there were 36 homes sold in December.  I think that's good news for Crofton home sellers! We also saw that slightly more expensive homes sold in December 2010 ($341,188) than the same month in the previous year ($328,776).  This is true in spite of the fact that sale prices were only 92.9% of list price, compared to 93.87% last year.  The bottom line is that the average sale price vs. list price was almost 4% higher in the last month of 2010 than it was in Dec... 01/17/2011

  The American Dream of owning a single family, detached home, is still available in Crofton, MD. County restrictions aren’t going to allow you to have that white picket fence in the front yard. Despite that, there are some great looking single family properties available, ranging from $294,500 to $639,990. Crofton, MD is ideally situated half way between Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD, in Anne Arundel County. Ten minutes and you're in the water oriented community of Annapolis, MD. If you’re not already working with an agent, I can help. Call Rich at 443-995-9595. Details of all the detached homes can be viewed on the map below.   Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114 410-451-6255 Office443-995-9595 CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Ri... 01/15/2011

January has been a great month for Maryland, when it comes to rankings for public education. The same week Maryland public schools were ranked #1 in the nation by Newsweek Magazine, Education Week, and the College Boards, we find the University of Maryland ranked #5 on Kiplinger's List of Best Values in Public Colleges. These rankings are based on a combination of academics and affordability, using data provided by Peterson's/Nelnet from more than 500 public four-year schools.  Academic quality - measured by SAT/ACT scores, admission and retention rates, student-faculty ration and graduation rates - counts for nearly 2/3 of the score.  Affordability - determined by the cost of in-state tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, books, out-of-state costs, debt at graduation, and other fact... 01/14/2011

CROFTON GARAGES FOR SALE (WITH HOMES ATTACHED, OF COURSE) If you'd like to get in your car and go in the mornings, rather than scrape your windshield in the dark, cold, wind, and even rain or snow on some days, you need a garage. I do understand... you weren't thinking about cold dark January mornings when you moved into that townhome or condo during the warm months... but now you ARE thinking about it and no amount of coffee or hot chocolate will prepare you adequately for starting your day with several minutes of scraping your car windshield before commuting to DC or Baltimore.    There is a solution to this problem, so what are you waiting for?  Thirty-five garages are for sale in Crofton right now (homes included, of course)! 3 garages with condos, priced between $189,998 and $229,0... 01/12/2011

Crofton, MD residents should know who their State and House Representatives are here in District 33A. SENATEEd Reilly321 James Senate Office Building, Annapolis, MDPhone: 410-841-3568eMail: edward.reilly@senate.state.md.us HOUSE:Tony McConkey216 House Office Building, Annapolis, MDPhone: 410-841-3406eMail: tony.mcconkey@house.state.md.us HOUSECathy Vitale154 House Office Building, Annapolis, MDPhone: 410-841-3510eMail: cathy.vitale@house.state.md.us   Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114             410-451-6255       Office            443-995-9595       CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com Annapolis MD Real EstateBowie MD Real EstateCrofton MD Real Estate ©2011 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved   01/12/2011

Q.  How are Maryland schools?  I'm considering both Maryland and Virginia, and school rankings will help us choose which area to live. A.  Boy, do I love this question because my opinion that Maryland schools are GREAT is supported by the experts:   "For the third straight year, Maryland's public education system received number one rankings in 2011 from Education Week, College Board and Newsweek for the highest percentage of rigorous high schools in America.  We should all be truly proud for these consistent and remarkable accomplishments." Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools   Congratulations to Maryland, and especially State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick and all the dedicated educators who contributed to this #1 ranking for Maryland schools AGAIN.  It's certainly no s... 01/11/2011

The American Red Cross, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish will be conducting a Community Blood Drive. The Blood Drive will be held on Wednesday, January 12, 2011, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Church Hall. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call   1-800-733-2767. As an added bonus…fleece blankets will be given to donors, while supplies last. View Larger Map Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.Crofton, MD 21114 410-451-6255 Office443-995-9595 CellWeb: http://www.RichSellsHomes.comeMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com Annapolis MD Real EstateBowie MD Real EstateCrofton MD Real Estate ©2011 - RichSellsHomes, All Rights Reserved     01/10/2011

You may have been video-taped in your home, and not even know it. When prospective Crofton home buyers ask me about crime in the greater Crofton area, I generally refer them to the CrimeReports.com website, where they can search any area and compare it with their current hometown or other communities in the DC-Baltimore area.  Nowhere is immune to crime, but I’m pretty confident they’ll find Crofton to be a much safer place to live than most others in Anne Arundel and nearby Prince George’s Counties. Another resource is the Anne Arundel County Police Department Facebook page. That’s where I found the press release reporting a Burglary Arrest in Crofton last week.  Police are seeking possible victims who may be unaware they were secretly video-taped in their homes by the suspect, now bei... 01/09/2011

Q.  Should I get a home inspection before moving into a Crofton rental property?  I'm concerned about safety issues and hidden defects. A.  Frankly, a home inspection for rentals isn't customary in this area... but it's probably a good idea.  Here's why I say that...   The typical rental move-in checklist deals primarily with cosmetic issues:  The carpet, walls, windows...  But what about the things you can't see?  These are the things a home inspection would disclose.  Wouldn't you like to know before moving into the property if some of the electrical outlets aren't grounded?  What if there's an open electrical junction box in the attic?  If the roof leaks or basement floods?  Does the furnace have a cracked heat exchanger?  Is there aluminum wiring and, if so, are there any safety pre... 01/08/2011

  The holiday season is over for now and the Open House season is starting once again in Crofton, MD. Five Open Houses are scheduled and maybe the weather will hold off long enough for them to be a success. The agent community is seeing more buyer activity this early in the year. Here's an opportunity to see a couple of houses in the inventory. 2089 PEAR HILL CT, CROFTON, MD 21114 ML#:  AA7428306             List Price: $379,000 Status:  ACTIVE    BR:  4 FB:  2 HB: 1 Listing Company:  Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage , CBRB43 OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION: Date:  08-Jan-2011            Start/Ends: 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM 1771 SHARWOOD PL #20, CROFTON, MD 21114 ML#:  AA7492383             List Price: $257,500 Status:  ACTIVE    BR:  3 FB:  1 HB: 2 Listing Company:  RE/MAX Advantage Realty , RM... 01/07/2011

  Crofton Athletic Council Baseball Commissioner Larry O'Ferrell has announced that registration for the 2011 Baseball Season (click on the link) will take place online throughout January for boys 4-14.  (Information about girls softball will be posted at FocusOnCrofton.com on Friday, January 7, 2011.)   The registration fee varies, depending on which division: $  65     Spring Tee Ball - 05/02/2006 - 11/01/2007 birthdate                   $  75     Spring Baseball A (5/6) - 05/02/2004 - 05/01/2006 birthdate      $  95     Spring Baseball AA (7/8) - 05/02/2002 - 05/01/2004 birthdate      $110     Spring Baseball AAA (9/10) - 05/02/2000 - 05/01/2002 birthdate$150     Spring County Baseball (10u) - 05/02/2000 - 05/01/2002 birthdate$170     Spring County Baseball (11-14) - 05/02/1996 - 05... 01/05/2011

The Crofton, MD real estate market closed the year out pretty strong last week. Refreshing, considering how dreadful November real estate results were. Seven Crofton homes completed the entire real estate process and went to settlement. The highest price was $499,900, for a single family home in the Crofton Chase sub-division. On the rental side, one new rental listings was added, making a total of 21 rentals now available in Crofton, MD.  Two applications were registered on existing rentals, and one unit was rented. The rental market in Crofton continues to be slow this time of year. Five new listings came on the market, making the total homes for sale in the Crofton, MD inventory 108.  Seven homes in the Crofton, MD inventory went under full contract status last week. This status is ... 01/02/2011

Are there any foreclosed properties or short sale available in Crofton, MD?   Although few people would consider Crofton MD to be a hotbed of distress sales, four of the 31 homes for sale now are listed in the mls as foreclosures, including one on Eton Way in Old Crofton.  Three other active listings are identified as potential short sales.  Home prices suffer in any community where 22.5% of all available inventory includes distress sales, and that translates to very good news for home buyers like you.  Prices overall (including the foreclosures and short sales) in this community range from a low of $294,599 for an older 3-level colonial in Crofton Meadows to a brand new 4-bedroom colonial in Chaney's Grant at $639,990.   Mortgage Rates Mortgage interest rates continue to hover around 5... 12/28/2010

If you’re ready to jump into the foreclosure market, Crofton, MD might be a good place to explore. While Crofton isn’t known for it’s foreclosures, it isn’t immune either. There has been a slow, steady increase in the number of foreclosures in Crofton, MD this year. Today, December 26, 2010, there are 15 foreclosed properties for potential buyer’s to choose from. This number is the highest it’s been all year, and pretty unusual for Crofton, MD. Statistically, less than 10% of all homes sold this year in Crofton, MD have been foreclosures. Contrast that to Bowie, MD, where over 33% of all homes sold this year were in the foreclosure category. Today, there are 15 Crofton MD homes for sale that have been foreclosed on by a bank, including one on Eton Way, one of the most prestigious stree... 12/26/2010

Crofton, MD sits right in the middle of a robust rental market in Anne Arundel County. Crofton renters come from all areas, including military and NSA employees working at Ft. Meade. Today, December 26th, 2010, there are 21 rentals available in Crofton, MD. This number is about what it’s been for the few months, and is continues to show some softening in the rental market. Right now the big PCS push at Ft. Meade is over and we’re dealing with seasonal fluctuations. The least expensive rental in Crofton, MD today is a 2 BR, 1 BA condo in Bancroft Meadows, listed for $1,300/month. On the upper end you’ll find a 4 BR, 3.5 BA townhouse on in Walden for $1,900/month. There is only one detached home out of the 21 Crofton, MD rentals. All Crofton, MD rentals can be found on the map below. The... 12/26/2010