There aren't many holidays that have more meaning than Veteran's Day.  Most of us know and love a veteran, and we're usually “wowed” to hear his or her stories of service.  I guess that must be true of many business owners, too, because so many of them are reaching out to honor veterans on November 11 this year. Here are some special events you may want to share with veterans in your life who may not have heard about them: Fee Free Day at National ParksTo honor America's service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that areas managed by the department will not charge entrance fees on Thursday, November 11, 2010.   RESTAURANTSApplebeesApplebee’s is giving a free entree to veterans and active duty military on Veteran’s Day – November 11.Golden CorralVeterans c... 11/07/2010

Odenton, MD is one of the “go to” places for buyers relocating or moving into the area. If you’re ready to buy, upsize or downsize, Odenton, MD is certainly a location to explore. Almost equidistant between the two large employment centers of Washington, DC , and Baltimore, sits the community of Odenton, MD. Odenton, MD sits right outside the entrance to Ft. Meade and has a wide selection of single family, townhouse and condo’s for sale or rent. Odenton offers a lot to buyers in just about every price range. The inventory of Odenton, MD homes for sale is 190 today. The least expensive being a 2 BR, 2 BA condo in the Lions Gate community listed for $134,900. This unit also happens to be a foreclosure. On the upper end of the Odenton, MD real estate market, is a single family  BR, 3.5 BA... 11/07/2010

If you’re ready to jump into the foreclosure market, Crofton, MD might be a good place to explore. While Crofton doesn’t have a glut of foreclosures, it isn’t immune either. Today, November 7, 2010, there are 11 foreclosed properties for a discriminating buyer to choose from. 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 11 Crofton MD homes for sale that have been foreclosed on by a bank. I’m aware of a couple more that have been taken off the market while foreclosure paperwork is verified. This is due to the recent problems that have been reported about the process some banks have used to foreclose on properties. El... 11/07/2010

  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, November 7, 2010, there are 31 rentals available in Crofton, MD. This number is higher than its been in a few months, and is beginning 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 the Tiers of Walden. On the upper end you’ll find a 4 BR, 2.5 BA single family home right on Crofton Parkway in Olde Crofton. All Crofton, MD rentals can be found on the map below. The map automatically updates to show only Active rentals in the MLS. Just cl... 11/07/2010

Crofton, MD is a wonderful destination point for buyers relocating or moving into the area. Moving up, or just rightsizing your housing needs, Crofton, MD should be on your list of communities to explore. Almost equidistant between the two large employment centers of Washington, DC , and Baltimore, sits the community of Crofton, MD. A planned community, with a selection of single family, townhouse and condo’s, Crofton offers a lot to buyers in just about every price range. The inventory of Crofton, MD homes shrunk by 5 homes since last week. This is good news for sellers in this market. The least expensive Crofton, MD home for sale is a 2 BR, 1 BA condo in the Habitat 1 sub-division, listed at $142,500. On the upper end is a single family 4 BR, 2.5 BA, new construction home in Chaney’s... 11/07/2010

  There are four Open Houses scheduled for buyers to visit this Sunday, November 7, 2010, in Crofton, MD. AA7397458 1921 Layton St. 3 BR, 2.5 BA Single Family Detached - $475,999 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Courtesy Weichert REALTORS® AA7451359 1699 Urby Drive 4 BR, 2.5 BA Single Family Detached - $515,000 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Courtesy Champion Realty AA7445834 1605 Airy Hill Court, #12A 2 BR, 1 BA Condo - $190,000 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Courtesy Prudential Carruthers REALTORS® AA7309005 1486 Chatham Court 3 BR, 2.5 BA - $219,900 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Courtesy Heritage Realty, Inc. The map below shows the location of these four Open Houses. Just click on any of the icons for detailed information on the listings. If you’re not already working with an agent to look for a home in Crofton, MD or anywhere in the... 11/07/2010

  OK, you've already selected Crofton, MD as your destination of choice to buy a home. By the way, what a great selection you’ve made. Now it’s time to drill down into the specific neighborhoods that Crofton, MD has to offer. 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. Today, there are 5 homes for sale in Chapman Farm, Crofton, MD. Clicking on any of the icons on the map below will bring up a page where you can view detailed desc... 10/31/2010

  Foreclosures have been around real estate for a long time. The only difference now is the number of foreclosures that seem to be crowding many areas. Crofton, MD isn’t immune to foreclosures, but it hasn’t been a significant component in our real estate market. Less than 10% of all homes sold this year in Crofton, MD have been foreclosures. Contrast that to Bowie, MD, where aver 33% of all homes sold this year were in the foreclosure category. Today, there are 12 Crofton MD homes for sale that are foreclosures. I’m aware of a couple more that have been taken off the market while foreclosure paperwork is verified. Twelve foreclosures is actually pretty high for the Crofton, MD real estate market which usually has about half that amount. Purchasing a Crofton, MD foreclosure is only sli... 10/31/2010

  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, there are 22 rentals available in Crofton, MD. This number is higher than its been in a few months. Right now the big PCS push at Ft. Meade is over and we’re dealing with a more normal rental market. The least expensive rental in Crofton, MD today is a 2 BR, 2 BA lower unit condo in Cedar Grove. On the upper end you’ll find a 5 BR, 2.5 BA single family home in Chapman Farm. All Crofton, MD rentals can be found on the map below. The map automatically updates to show only Active rentals in the MLS. Just click on an icon and full details of the rental are available. If you’re not already working with... 10/31/2010

  Crofton, MD is a wonderful destination point for buyers relocating or moving into the area. Almost equidistant between the two large employment centers of Washington, DC , and Baltimore, sits the community of Crofton, MD. A planned community, with a selection of single family, townhouse and condo’s, Crofton offers a lot to buyers in just about every price range. The inventory of Crofton, MD homes for sale is 145 today. It's been hovering in that range for a while. The least expensive being a 2 BR, 1 BA condo in the Habitat 1 sub-division. On the upper end is a single family 4 BR, 2.5 BA, new construction home in Chaney’s Grant. All the Crofton, MD homes for sale can be found on the map below. The map shows the first 20 but if you click on any icon you will see details of the entire in... 10/31/2010

There are three Open House treats for buyers to visit this weekend in Crofton, MD. AA7457598 1015 Murdoch Court 3 BR, 2.5 BA Condo - $279,999 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Courtesy Champion Realty AA7444063 1704 Picadilly Road 4 BR, 3.5 BA Single Family - $539,980 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Courtesy Long and Foster AA7465515 1506 Long Drive Court 4 BR, 3.5 BA Townhouse - $325,000 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Courtesy Long and Foster The map below shows the location of these three Open Houses. Just click on any of the icons for detailed information on the listings. If you’re not already working with an agent to look for a home in Crofton, MD or anywhere in the surrounding area, I can help. Call Rich at 443-995-9595. Just a word of caution when you attend an Open House. The agent who is there is representing the selle... 10/31/2010

TRICK-OR-TREATING IN CROFTON, MARYLAND   Keep the REAL spooks out of your children's Halloween night by taking these precautions when they go trick-or-treating in Crofton MD (or anywhere): 1.  Accompany children when they go trick-or-treating - If they're a little older, stand back so you're not "lurking", but don't let a pedophile take advantage of this great opportunity to troll for vulnerable kids.  And never let them enter a stranger's house!Remember, adolescents are not too old to be at risk on Halloween or at any other time. (You might want to check the Maryland Sex Offender Registry, and avoid those residences when you take your children trick-or-treating.)   2.  Encourage children to go trick-or-treating in small groups.  If the group is too large, you might lose count if one is... 10/29/2010

Fall is the season for homecoming games in college football, and this is THE big weekend for football fans living in Crofton MD.  The Terps kick-off against Wake Forest in College Park at 3:30 p.m. while the Mids clash with Duke in Annapolis at the same time.   The Naval Academy has a pretty good football team this year, and we're hoping the Mids will win their homecoming game against the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday.  Yes, we're Navy fans, but we're also season ticket holders for the Maryland Terps; to be a Maryland fan means we're always for ANYBODY but Duke!  Navy has won four of their last five matchups with Duke, so the odds are on their side. Crofton residents attending their first Navy football game can expect the Brigade of Midshipmen to parade onto the field at 3:16 p.m., after... 10/26/2010

The 33rd annual Halloween Parade sponsored by Crofton Kiwanis will take place on Saturday, October 30, 2010, beginning at 11 a.m.  There's no age limit, and participants will include costumed parents walking with tots in strollers.  Everyone will have a ball, even the families and neighbors lining Crofton Parkway to watch. Participants will meet at Prince of Peace Church at 10 a.m. to register before joining the floats, fire trucks, local celebrities and marching bands arriving from their gathering place at Crofton Woods Elementary School.  The parade will continue for about a half mile to Town Hall, where it will turn left towards Crofton Elementary.  As the parade comes to an end at the school, refreshments will be available for participants and the marching bands will perform.  Organ... 10/25/2010

The weather is spectacular and there is still time to tour Open Houses here in Crofton, MD today. Saturday, October 23rd there are three Open Houses being held in Crofton shown below. Single Family: 2089 Pear Hill Court, 4 BR, 2.5 BA, $379,000. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Single Family: 7507 Crofton Colony Drive, 3 BR, 3 BA, $524,900.1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Condo: 1655 Fallowfield Court, 2 BR, 2 BA, $234,90012:00 PM – 2:00 PM The map shows the locations and just click on any of the icons for detailed information on the listing. If you’re not already working with an agent to look for a home in Crofton, MD or the surrounding area, I can help. Call Rich at 443-995-9595. Just a word of caution going into Open Houses. The agent there is representing the seller in any transaction. You should always have yo... 10/23/2010

Crofton residents looking for something fun to do this weekend can attend a performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in nearby Baltimore.  This weekend only, as part of Free Fall Baltimore, your tickets will be HALF PRICE. Many of us hear the name "William Shakespeare" and find ourselves instantly transported back in time to some boring school assignments during our youth... and we cringe.  The best possible cure for this is to see a live performance, and there's never been a better opportunity than this weekend at the Spotlighters Theatre in Baltimore.  Twelfth Night, also known as What You Will, is a Mainstage Production running through November 14, but tickets are half-price only for performances tonight, tomorrow and Sunday.  This is a story of mistaken identity and unrequited lo... 10/22/2010

  The Kiwanis and the Community of Crofton, MD are coming together again this year for the Annual Halloween Parade. The parade has been an ongoing Kiwanis project for over thirty years and a welcome event in Crofton. This year the Parade is scheduled for 10:00 AM, October 30th. Floats and adults will gather at the Crofton Woods Elementary School. Starting from the school, the Parade will be traveling the mile or so to the Presbyterian Church on Crofton Parkway to pick up the costumed children. Hang a left onto Crofton Parkway again to the destination point at Crofton Elementary School, located at the intersection of Duke of Kent Drive. Refreshments and music will be available at Crofton Elementary. The costume winners will be announced in several categories. In the past there were prize... 10/21/2010

Some people feel that in the current real estate market, you can *steal* a home if it is a short sale or foreclosure.  Unfortunately, that's not the case here in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.  Prices have come down here since the height of the market, 2006/2007.  In fact, they have come down quite a bit, about 20% in many neighborhoods.  You'll see when you start looking for homes that there are some foreclosures and short sales that are listed in the multiple list system, along with regular sales.  Many times they are listed for less than regular sales, as an incentive to put an offer in. With a short sale, the seller is asking the bank to accept less than what is owed. Sometimes the bank will take considerably less, sometimes they refuse the short sale.  The bank and their representa... 10/18/2010

Join your neighbors at Crofton Library on Saturday, October 23, for a day of beautification.  Wear your work clothes, bring your garden gloves and tools, and come prepared to weed, plant daffodil bulbs provided by Crofton Village Garden Club, spread mulch, and rake leaves.  Arrive at 9, and you'll be on your way home by noon. You've probably noticed how the grounds at Crofton Library have been less attractive lately than in the past.  That's because county budget cuts have eliminated staff who would have maintained the grounds.  But we don't have to settle for “ugly” in Crofton, when there are so many people and organizations willing to help. Of course you can just show up on Saturday, but it would be helpful if you sign up at the Library Information Desk, call (410)222–7915, or email s... 10/18/2010

  The weather is spectacular and there is still time to tour Open Houses here in Crofton, MD today. Sunday, October 17th there are three Open Houses being held in Crofton shown below. Condo: 1015 Murdoch Court, 3/2/1, $279,900, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Condo: 1710 Dryden Way, 3/2/2, $324,900. 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Single Family: 1716 Tarelton Way, 4/2/1, $429,900, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM The map shows the locations and just click on any of the icons for detailed information on the listing. If you’re not already working with an agent to look for a home in Crofton, MD or the surrounding area, I can help. Call Rich at 443-995-9595. Just a word of caution going into Open Houses. The agent there is representing the seller in any transaction. You should always have your own buyer representation when purchasin... 10/17/2010