Owning a home comes with many benefits. Managed well, it is like a savings account that can pay off handsomely. It is the best long-term investment one can make, and a path to building generational wealth. Long-term, however, does not lead to instant gratification. But being able to come home to the place you love every day, sure does. The true joy of owning a home lies in the opportunity to create a sanctuary. You get to paint with the colors of your soul. You get to landscape to your heart's desire, change the fixtures, widen the porch, transform an old playroom into your home office, hang wallpaper, install molding, add a firepit, get the hot tub out back you've always dreamed of, convert an attic, finish the basement... you get to dream, create, and turn a vision into a reality. Eve... 01/15/2023

3221 Birchmede DriveEllicott City 21042mls# MDHW2020410 Stately Ellicott City White Colonial on half acre lot backing to open easement meadow area with a stream in back. Check out the view from the bay window.The spacious patio off the sunken family room is perfect for watching the birds and enjoying the butterfly gardens. Enjoy the warmth of the fireplace and loads of builtins.Gleaming, newly refinished wood floors in the living room, dining room, and second floor, and fresh paint in many areas add to the beauty of this four-bedroom center-hall Colonial: updated roof, new air conditioner, new water heater, new sliding glass doors, and a side-loading two-car garage with many shelves and two work benches. The wide, newly rebuilt driveway has a parking pad for several cars. The yard has r... 12/30/2022

The Savage Mill historic district includes the former cotton mill which was transformed into a vibrant shopping and entertainment district and is also home to many small (artsy) businesses as well as the housing that was built for its workers. Besides bungalows and colonials, you'll find several charming brick duplexes which originally comprised two floors plus a cellar, two bedrooms, and one bathroom on approximately 1,000 square feet. Many of these duplexes built in the early 1900s have been expanded over the years. A duplex with the original footprint will sell in the upper 200s whereas the larger models that now come with 3-4 bedrooms will run well into the 400s. The Savage Mill historic district is one of my favorites in Howard County, and - in my humble opinion - is underrated. Si... 12/29/2022

When I woke up this Monday morning, the first message I saw was that of another 5 star review on Google. Besides ratifying a contract, or having a settlement to attend, this is my favorite way to start the week! I am so appreciative when my clients take the time to pen a few words and make it publicly known how pleased they were. It is always wonderful to read what exactly stood out to them. I tell all my clients from the get-go that they can never ask too many questions, and if they need to ask a question twice, to not hesitate! It is very important to me that they all go into this process as comfortable as possible, with a clear understanding of what to expect and how we'll proceed. Step by step. We review the offer docs well before we write the first one and discuss different strateg... 12/05/2022

44th Annual Midnight Madness - Ellicott City Historic DistrictI love Historic Ellicott City.  It's had so many challenges with flooding and economic downturn but it's an amazing place to visit and to find some unique gifts for that special someone.On Friday, December 2, 2022, the Ellicott City Partnership and Visit Ellicott City is sponsoring the annual Midnight Madness starting at 5:30 pm until midnight.  There is a tree lighting ceremony at B & O Plaza starting at 5:30, Santa, his Elf, and the Grinch are rumored to be attending.  Live music happens all night long throughout the town with Mount Hebron High School Chamber Choir, Long Reach High School Madrigals, Catonsville High School Steel Band, and the Heart of Maryland Acapella Chorus, Work in Progress will be playing at the Wine Bi... 11/28/2022

3221 Birchmede DriveEllicott City 21042mls#MDHW2020410 Stately Ellicott City White Colonial on half acre lot backing to open easement meadow area with a stream in back. The spacious patio off the sunken family room is perfect for watching the birds and enjoying the butterfly gardens. Enjoy the warmth of the fireplace and loads of builtins. Gleaming, newly refinished wood floors in the living room, dining room, and second floor, and fresh paint in many areas add to the beauty of this four-bedroom center-hall colonial: updated roof, new air conditioner, new water heater, new sliding glass doors, and a side-loading two-car garage with many shelves and two work benches. The wide, newly rebuilt driveway has a parking pad for several cars. The yard has recently planted native oak, willow, ser... 11/02/2022

National Cryptologic Museum ReopensThe National Cryptologic Museum has been closed for renovations and remodeling and has now reopened to the public.The newly remodeled museum will provide a unique opportunity to engage the public with cryptologic history, allowing visitors to journey through history from ancient times to the present day with a view of how cryptology has shaped our past and present.I visited the museum with my son and his boy scout troop and it was amazing to see all the displays and artifacts from the Civil War, WWII up through the cold war, and learn about ciphers, codes, and all kinds of "spy stuff".   The National Cryptologic Museum is located at 8290 Colony Seven Road, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.  Admission is free and no reservation or ticket is required. The mu... 10/31/2022

There seems to be something in the water. Within the last couple of weeks, I've heard from two other people - besides myself - who received unusually high water bills. If you've ever gotten one of those, you know the shockwaves it can send through your body. My bill was relatively mild compared to one of my past clients'. The amount due this last quarter was "only" double than what I usually pay. It still resulted in a moment of what the...? A quick call to Howard County's Water and Sewer division cleared things up. My water meter had stopped working. The bill I had received was an estimate based on the average usage in the county. Scheduling a replacement of the faulty water meter was quick and painless (shout-out to Cam, thank you!) and took place just a few days after my initial call... 10/27/2022

 ''Dear Birchmede Dr., We've lived with you for 23 years. Children grew up and several pet generations called you home during that time. We loved watching the birds out your bay window and the butterfly garden. The fireplace has been a great asset through past winters.  You happily accepted all the games when we gave you a facelift and added all the storage and a window seat in the family room. We love your backyard, especially the wonderful creek that is fun to explore from our yard. We love how close you were to essential shopping and how we used to ride bikes to Music and Arts for music lessons.  We loved working from home at the quirky Tudor bar in your basement. We love all the quiet places to hide with a book to read in peace.  We've loved sharing our lives with you and hope you t... 10/01/2022

This home could be your American Dream. Check out this white colonial with side loading garage on a lovely quiet street backing to acres of meadow land. And there is the Little Plum Tree stream in the back. Four bedroom 2 1/2 bath home with wonderful first-floor family room with wood burning fireplace, bay window and french door to the private patio. Magnificent butterfly and vegetable gardens. The magnolia trees make this home an oasis from your busy lifestyle. -Minutes to shopping at Chatham Mall, Long Gate Shopping Center, and The Enchanted Forest. -Sought after Howard County Schools.Stay tuned for photos and more details.For more info on this homePlease call Margaret Rome  08/30/2022

I am working with a mother and daughter who will be sharing a home. It will take a village to find this unique property, and we could use your help.Here is what we are looking for: It can be any style, in or around Baltimore, concentrating on Ellicott City in zip codes 21042 and 21163. However, for the right home, we are open to other areas., They want to purchase a large single-family home with plenty of trees, privacy, and space for a master gardener. Privacy from other houses, no fences, and a stream would be nice. One to two acres would be ideal or adjacent to open land that gives the same feeling of privacy. And a pool is a  must, indoor, outdoor, or the room to build one.A few more desires include a first-floor primary bedroom, bath, and a pet-friendly neighborhood. A couple of bo... 08/17/2022

Happy Closing Day Dan & Divya and welcome to your new home in Columbia's Village of Harper's Choice which - as it turns out - was totally the best choice for you. Dan & Divya and I first connected back in March when they were interviewing buyer's agents to guide them on their first home buying journey - a smart move by the way, the interviewing and the choosing me part! 😉We spent time going over the process and the documents before hunting for the perfect home. They had done their homework, they knew what they wanted, which neighborhoods they would consider and - most importantly - what their financial comfort level was. Preapproval does not always equal comfort level! We explored. We researched. We wrote a few offers but only on the ones that were a good fit, until we submitted a winni... 08/10/2022

This exceptional property was a rare find! A custom home, built, occupied and loved by the same family for 4+ decades, on a flag lot and 4 private acres, with a wooded view, a 40 x 20 in-ground pool, oversized 4-season-sunroom to enjoy the lovely view year round, built-in garage, 2 fireplaces, owner's suite, rec room with walk-out to the pool area, low-maintenance deck... and so much more, attracted the perfect buyers who had spent months looking for a property just like it.They saw, the came, they fell in love, and they wrote the winning offer! As we are nearing the end of the complimentary seller rent-back period, the emotions are running high all around. The sellers are saying good-bye to the home they raised a family in, and the buyers are excited to begin their journey in their new... 06/29/2022

Speechless Sunday - Bring Your Dog to Work DayThis is puppy love, Sadie likes nothing better than to go for a ride in the car and make her rounds in and outside the Coldwell Banker office in Ellicott City.  She has her favorite spots to sit and watch the world go by. 06/26/2022

Paint It, Ellicott CityFrom June 9 to June 12, 2022, juried artists take to the streets of Old Ellicott City to participate in the Plein Air event where artists line the streets of Historic Ellicott City with their easels to paint without the aid of photography and paint the picturesque mill town. The event culminates in an exhibit at the Howard County Center for the Arts located at 8510 High Ridge Rd, Ellicott City, MD on June 13 from 6 pm to 8 pm.  Both these events are free to the public.    06/08/2022

The Mascara Run in Old Ellicott City, MD - June 4, 2022Come on out to celebrate Pride Month and enjoy the fun and games.  Fun Run eating and drinking through 10 stations of local bars and restaurants in parking lot F in drag, jeans & t-shirts or whatever!!  Heels, makeup, and wigs will be provided.  Come to run or just cheer the runners on.  You can buy ticketsThe event takes place this afternoon, June 4, 2022, from 3 pm to 5 pm.There will be live music and beer.  You must be 21 or older, it takes place fully in Lot F, Old Ellicott City $25 entry fee with all proceeds going directly to HoCo Pride.Agents from the Ellicott City Coldwell Banker will be there to help with the sign-in and will have the prize wheel.    06/04/2022

Finally, yesterday we got a first glimpse of summer in Central Maryland after a pretty wet spring thus far. It was a gorgeous day! I had an appointment to meet with the appraiser at my listing in Dayton, MD which sits on a beautiful private lot and comes with a 20 x 40 in-ground pool. Per usual, I arrived a bit earlier to walk the property, turn on some lights, and make sure everything looked good. At the end of my tour I paused in the sunroom, taking in the view, before stepping out onto the deck. The sun felt amazing. There was a gentle breeze and I swear I could hear the pool whisper to come for a swim. Oh the temptation! Jumping into the water and working poolside for the rest of the day sounded just perfect to me. But, I didn't bring a bathing suit, I had a listing appointment to g... 05/18/2022

7 Day Real Estate Market update- lots of movement, which is not uncommon this time of year. Interest rates have climbed dramatically in the past month, which will put many buyers out of the market.Did you wait to long to list your home? Time will tell. Click here for an instant quote or PM us for more info here.https://bit.ly/2022HomeValueOr if you're ready to sell your home click here.https://bit.ly/SellMyHome2022 05/12/2022

Have you been dreaming of spending the summer poolside, having the perfect space to entertain, and a yard large enough to throw a football? Then this home in Dayton, MD is a must-see. 13556 Argo Drive is an exceptional property on 4 private acres with a lovely wooded view. Set-back from the home this impeccable, well-maintained home could be your own oasis. The inviting living space with plank vinyl flooring and one of two wood burning fireplaces is centered around the open kitchen and culminates in a huge 36 x 14 four-season sunroom with tranquil views of the property: the in-ground pool, cleared lot and lawn, and a wooded area that offers up all the privacy you could want. Natural lighting creates the perfect ambiance throughout. The primary bedroom on the upper level has an en-suite ... 05/06/2022

In real estate PRICE isn't always the problem, but it's always the solution. Check out the market activity for Howard County for the last 7 days!!!   Who wants to sell their home before it balances out? Go here for an instant quote or PM us for more info here.https://bit.ly/2022HomeValue Or if you're ready to sell your home click here.https://bit.ly/SellMyHome2022 05/03/2022