Where else could you find a house dressed in red white and blue than in historic Annapolis, MD? In 1783, when the Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Revolutionary War and officially recognizing the thirteen colonies, Annapolis was the temporary capital of the United States.  "Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret to happiness." ~ Louis D. BrandeisThis patriotic rowhome was built in 1875 and is a cozy 700 square feet. It does come with a surprising and quaint courtyard as many of these historic homes in downtown Annapolis do. It's steps from the city dock, the Naval Academy, bars, restaurants, boutiques, and the landmarks of the historic district. I snapped this picture 15 years ago, always wanting to post it on the perfect day, but always forgetting about ... 07/04/2024

Pending - 7828 Statesman St, Severn, MDI didn't even get a chance to get the Just Listed post written and it's already pending!! This great home located in The Provinces neighborhood in Severn had over 20 showings and we got multiple offers in under 4 days.  So, if you live in The Provinces and you are thinking about making a move, there are still 19 buyers looking for a home in your neighborhood!!  Let me help you move on to your next home!!This home has a lot of features that you don't always find in The Provinces, like 5 bedrooms all on the second floor, a full basement, and a 2 car garage, and the icing on the cake here is this home backs to an open green space.  In addition, it is located close to shopping, restaurants, and entertainment and this is a great commutable location. 05/17/2024

If you're buying a home near Fort Meade this year, you've probably been scouring the inventory and are seeing that it's super low and very competitive.  Homes are selling with multiple offers and it's not uncommon to see offers $30,000 & $40,000 over asking price. Combined with today’s affordability challenges it can seem like an impossible mission. But, what if there was a solution that could help with both? If you’re having a hard time finding a home you love, and mortgage rates are putting pressure on your budget, it may be time to look at newly built homes. Here’s why. New Home Construction Inventory When looking for a home, you can choose between existing homes (those that are already built and previously owned) and newly constructed ones. While the number of existing homes for sa... 04/08/2024

#2 Best City to Live in Maryland - AnnapolisThe World Atlas published a list of the 7 best cities to live in Maryland this past week. The number 2 city is Annapolis.Maryland's capital city, Annapolis, is known for being home to the Naval Academy, its rich history, waterfront location, and maritime history. For a brief time, it was the capital of the United States from 1783 to 1784. Annapolis is located on the north shore at the mouth of the Severn River on the middle Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay and is about 25 miles south of Baltimore and 30 miles east of Washington DC.  Annapolis is home to 40,812 people (2020 census) and approximately 15,303 households. Statistically, Annapolis has a relatively low crime rate and a robust employment market. There are some great restaurants lik... 03/25/2024

The Dutch Colonial architectural style dates back to the 1600s and saw a revival in the early 1900s. Among its most striking characteristics is the double-pitched roof that is wide and flat and seemingly suddenly changes its angle. It often incorporates dormers, and is also referred to as a barn roof. This style turned the attic into useable living space, and allowed its owners to avoid taxes levied on two-story homes.*Dutch Colonials do not usually have lots of ornate features, but we all have heard of Dutch doors which are still widely used today. This architectural style has evolved over the centuries, its footprint has become larger, front porches are prominent, and instead of brick and stone we see a lot more cedar shingles and siding. Here are two stellar examples in Annapolis' hi... 03/09/2024

February saw a very brief increase in inventory, though all of that was gobbled up by homebuyers that were anxious to make Piney Orchard their new neighborhood.  There were a couple of age-qualified condos that lingered on the market and that skewed the days on market data, but with a more limited audience of buyers for that product those increased days are to be expected.  But the well priced homes were selling very quickly, and over asking price.  Market Report Save Market Report & Get Monthly UpdatesWith the inventory of homes for sale in Piney Orchard this low, cash buyers, and those with large down-payments are dominating the market.  The Roskelly Team specializes in Piney Orchard real estate and we've got the best marketing plan to get your home sold for top dollar and on your ter... 03/04/2024

Just SOLD on Siden Drive in Hanover, MD. Harmans Woods is a community minutes from Arundel Mills Mall, Fort Meade, and the BWI business district. I am thrilled for my repeat client who added this split-level home to his investment portfolio. We squeezed in a showing at the last minute, the seller was *this close* to accepting a different offer. I convinced the listing side that it we were worth the wait, and I'm so glad they agreed! I presented an offer as clean and uncomplicated as possible, and the seller chose to sell to my client instead. At 385K, my client scored a great deal on this detached single-family home!Now, in all my years in Real Estate I've never had a buyer request to only see split-level homes, they can be rather unexciting with their exterior elevation. But, split-lev... 02/26/2024

Where are the best places to live near Fort Meade, MD?   As Fort Meade real estate specialists and PCS pros, we get asked that a lot. So we're sharing our customer's top choices with you.  The Roskelly Team has the inside scoop on some of our most requested cities in Anne Arundel County that are within a 30 minute commute to the Fort Meade.  First, we want to tell you a little bit about the area surrounding the base.  Fort Meade is unique in that it is within close proximity to 4 different counties and too many cities to mention.  Those counties include Anne Arundel where the base is housed, Howard County to the west of base, Baltimore county to the North, and Prince George's county to the south.  We're going to break this down by county, covering Anne Arundel county here and list the t... 02/22/2024

We're checking back in on Two Rivers real estate with a Market Report showing actively listed properties, homes under contract, and recently sold houses.  This upscale Odenton neighborhood features homes priced from the high 500's  up to $1,000,000 and is almost equidistant to Washington and Baltimore with easy access to Fort Meade.  We've got a little news this month too as they are now planning construction for the largest home models offered to date which is pretty impressive when most homes are between 3,000 - 5,000 s.f..If you want the scoop on Two Rivers new construction, who's offering incentives to purchase and the latest pricing, you can count on The Roskelly Team at Berkshire Hathaway to keep you in the know and be there by your side when it's time to buy or sell a home in Two... 02/07/2024

If you're headed to Fort Meade in 2024 you'll want to check out the BAH rates to help you budget for off-base housing, or to compare housing costs on base to find the right solution for you.  Keep in mind that  BAH is designed to cover 95% of your housing costs, so it offsets costs, but doesn't always cover them 100%. It can though, if you budget and plan carefully, especially if you're buying a home.  And this year's 7% increase in the BAH rates is helping to keep these allowances in line with actual costs.  The chart below will give you an at-a-glance summary of your BAH for the year. Whether you're interested in buying a home or renting a home near Fort Meade, you'll have plenty of options to choose from.  We'll help illustrate how your housing allowance stacks up off base. With that... 01/22/2024

The Piney Orchard real estate market remains one of the strongest in Anne Arundel county with most properties selling within two weeks.  Property values have increased 6% compared to the same period last year and the gloom and doom predicted for the market hasn't hit here.  The increase in pricing comes at what should be one of the softest sales months of the year.  However, there simply isn't enough inventory to satisfy the number of home buyers that want to call Piney Orchard their home.  We are seeing some concessions creep back in as home sellers, used to the frenetic market are getting a little bit nervous and are willing to negotiate a bit.  Our most recent Piney Orchard listing on Cedar Elm Drive went under contract in just 6 days.  And it's the best time we've had to buy in a lo... 12/13/2023

In the month of November, there were 524 homes sold in Anne Arundel county.  The top three cities by sold volume were Annapolis with 19% of the total sales, Glen Burnie with  17%, and Pasadena rounding out the top 3 with by volume 10%.Overall we saw a 22% decrease in new listings and closed sales decreased just under 3% as the low inventory struggle continues with the number of listings down almost 25% from our 5-year average. Despite all the dire predictions about home values falling, the Fort Meade market held on to value with the median sold price in the county increasing almost 15% compared to last year.  That’s great news if you hung in with the crazy multiple offer situations in the past few years and grabbed your dream home.  Bottom line, we are still in a Seller’s market but it’... 12/11/2023

Are you searching for your dream home near Fort Meade MD? Look no further than the luxury townhome community of Watershed in Laurel, less than 10 minutes from the base! This neighborhood offers a winning combination of a beautiful wooded location convenient to everything Baltimore/Washington, fabulous amenities designed with the outdoor enthusiasts in mind, and reputable builders with innovative floor plans. Distinctly different, the Watershed community is nestled in the middle of acres of wooded preserve and green space and features a selection of reputable builders offering homes for sale starting in the high $400k range, as well as luxury rentals.  These builders have a strong track record of crafting high-quality townhomes that stand the test of time. Builders in the community inclu... 11/29/2023

As a real estate team operating in Anne Arundel county, staying well-versed in local regulations and zoning laws is vital to assisting our clients in making informed property decisions.  We wanted to let you know that the county made significant changes to the rules and definitions of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in 2023.  But, in a nutshell, if you own a single-family home in the county, you may be eligible to expand!What is an ADU you ask? ADUs are secondary housing units located on the same property as the primary residence.  ADUs come in many forms from the famed “she-shed”, to a home office or studio, guest suite, or a place to accommodate a family member.  It’s a fantastic way for you to expand the use and value of your property.Anne Arundel county specifically defines an ADU a... 11/03/2023

As an Anne Arundel County real estate agent for over 20 years, I'm thrilled to share my insights about the real estate market and what life if like living here.  Anne Arundel County is nestled in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay region and equidistant to both Baltimore and Washington DC.  This county is not just a place to reside; it's a lifestyle. Join me as I take you through the current state of the housing market, inventory, and the incredible benefits of calling Anne Arundel County home.The Housing Market in Anne Arundel CountyThe Anne Arundel County housing market is a dynamic one, offering a little something for everyone. Here's a snapshot of the market today:Anne Arundel County is known for its stable and resilient real estate market. Even during times of economic uncertainty, pr... 10/06/2023

Summer isn't over just yet, and if you're ready to jump into owning a home with a pool near Fort Meade, there's still time to snag a property with backyard oasis you've been looking for.  Think you can't afford a pool?  There are currently over 100 homes for sale in Anne Arundel County that feature pools starting at just $300,000.  All within an hour commute to the base.  Pools are a huge attraction in Maryland.  Our Summers are hot and there's nothing like ending a day floating in your own backyard pool with family and friends or all by yourself.  It's a great place to host a backyard BBQ too.  You don't have to visit the tropics to enjoy fruity drinks in the water!Of course, pools come with a cost and if you're lucky enough to snag a home with a pool they do come with  monthly costs b... 08/25/2023

Today we're talking about home values in the Maryland real estate market, specifically near Fort Meade MD and using Anne Arundel County as our measure. We'll be comparing each city in Anne Arundel County by median home value not by average value and here's why.  Median value is the exact middle of the road, at which point fifty percent of the sales are above, and fifty percent of the sales are below, so it's a more accurate measure of what's going on in a hyperlocal market especially if you have a neighborhood with a variety of housing options like Piney Orchard. Average home value it's the average of all sales totaled.  It can be easily skewed, especially in neighborhoods that offer a variety of housing options like condos, townhomes  and single family homes. If sales in that neighborh... 08/09/2023

There's a lot of talk in the Maryland real estate market about interest rates holding people back from buying houses here.  Rates are sitting around 7%  percent, which is historically high, but certainly not as high as the 16% percent rates that we saw back in the eighties when buyers were still buying homes. Those buyers now have paid off homes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars more than what they paid. Those houses are funding comfortable retirements, providing supplemental income, giving their owners low cost living with no mortgage, and bringing wealth to middle class families.Real estate is a long-term investment, and while you can make substantial gains in the short-term in the Fort Meade market, the long term holds are everything to a healthy financial future.  Don't be inti... 08/07/2023

You Thought You Knew Anne Arundel County, MD - TriviaAnne Arundel County has the most shoreline of any western shore county with 508 miles of shoreline.Maryland's capital city of Annapolis is located in Anne Arundel County and is also the county seat.The county was named for Lady Anne Arundell, the daughter of Thomas Arundell of the ancient family of Arundells in Cornwall England.  She was married to the second Lord Baltimore, Cecilius Calvert also the first lord proprietor of the colony in an arranged marriage around 1627.Most of the county's borders are defined by coastlines and waterways.  Originally Anne Arundel County included all lands between the Patuxent and Patapsco Rivers.  In 1919, Brooklyn, Curtis Bay, Fairview, Wagner's Point, Arundel Cove, and Hawkins Point were annexed by... 07/28/2023

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Maryland near Fort Meade, there are some things you’ll need to know to make the process flow!Plan your perfect paymentWhat amount are you comfortable paying for a monthly mortgage?  In this market we can likely find you a home for a monthly payment very close to what you are paying for rent.  But, if you have to go a little higher, remember that the vast majority of your mortgage payment is tax deductible mortgage interest.  Real estate taxes are also deductible. Stepping into home ownership comes with amazing tax benefits.  You may want to talk to a tax professional to see exactly how it affects your tax liability. Prequalify with a local lenderThis is so important and takes just a few minutes on the phone or a quick application on the Internet... 07/12/2023