About Anne Arundel County, MD

It's Sunday Open House Time Once Again

Wow!!! This Sunday there are 21 open houses in the
Annapolis zip codes 21401, 21403 and 21409.
To view this Sundays Opens click on the Open House Sign

Please remember... when visiting an Open House the agent holding the open is representing the Seller.

If you are already represented by an agent that should not be a problem as many open house agents honor that relationship. Just let them know when you arrive. HOWEVER if you do not have an agent and really would like Buyer Representation when purchasing a home you need to have a agency relationship in place before visiting.

As an Annapolis Area Realtor® who specializes in buying and selling of residential real estate I am available to represent you in the purchase of any home available for sale whether listed with my brokerage or another brokerage. None of todays homes are my listings but if they were I, like the agents holding today's opens, would be representing the Seller.

If you would like Buyer Representation when buying a home give me a call. 410-440-7839.
I will be happy to explain how it works, how I can be of service and to represent you in the purchase of your new home.

It's going to be a great year to buy a home!

Annapolis is surrounded by water and offers a huge expanse of waterfront living opportunities. From shallow wetlands to deep, deep water, from condos to exquisite estates waterfront living in Annapolis is a huge part of living the Annapolis lifestyle.

Please keep in mind that this Annapolis Waterfront Market Report is for the Annapolis zip codes 21401, 21403, 21409. If you have or want to buy a waterfront home in another zip code I would be happy to do a market report for that area as well. Just let me know.

Waterfront home sales decreased by 25% over the previous months sales and increased by 20% over January 2011 sales. As for sales price.... low and high sale prices can fluctuate dramatically due to waterfront homes being unique to themselves. One large sale or even one low sale can send the numbers askew so I will not be giving sale figures on price month over month or year over year.

The 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count will take place next week, from February 17–20, when bird watchers across the United States and Canada will tally millions of birds in the annual count coordinated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada.

Don't worry... no one expects you to sit in front of your window for four days to count birds.

Here's how you can participate:

1. Count birds for 15 minutes, in as many places and on as many days (during the count period) as you like and submit a separate checklist for each new day.

2. Count the greatest number of individuals of each species that you see together at any one time.

3. Track where, when and what species you see and submit your results online.

For a list of birds you're likely to see in this area in February, click on this regional bird checklist and type in your zipcode. Don't know the names of the birds you see? There are several online bird guides, including All About Birds by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

And check out Great Backyard Bird Count for Kids to help your scout troop, youth group or family get the most of participating in this activity.

My neighbor Sunny Frank enjoys photographing birds in her Crofton yard, and you can see several more of her bird photos at Crofton Village Garden Club.

Free tax assistance for military and dependents at Fort Meade

I just finished my taxes last night *phew* after fighting my way through the incredibly frustrating Maryland taxes. The State is not making it very easy for military families. Thus, I'll likely take advantage of the free tax assistance offered to active-duty and retired military and their dependents at Fort Meade - just to be on the safe side. It would be nice if it could all be simple and straight-forward, but then it wouldn't be called doing your taxes.

The State of Maryland has a whole bunch of different tax scenarios for military troops stationed here, it can get very confusing: from single non-resident to married part-time resident with a full-time resident spouse. In some cases, military families are required to file 2 forms!

Where can you turn for help to prepare your 2012 taxes?

The State of Maryland has issued Administrative Release No. 1: Military Personnel and Civilian Spouses - Both Residents and Nonresidents of Maryland to provide guidance how the MD income tax law applies to troops and their families, it also addresses the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act.

The Fort Meade Tax Center is located on 4217 Roberts Ave and open from 8 am through 4 pm weekdays, appointments are recommended. It provides free assistance for active-duty and retired service members and their dependents with federal and state income forms!

If you do your taxes online, take advantage of a 25% military discount that TurboTax® offers through the Navy Federal Credit Union website. You must go through NFCU (but don't have to log on) to sign on, prepare and file your taxes through TurboTax® to be eligible for the discount.

Happy Tax Season!