Included in Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Welcome to Fort Meade and Anne Arundel County Maryland!
Families of civilian employees and military personnel relocating to Fort Meade will find a post that covers 5,415 acres, with nearly 70 miles of roads and more than 1300 buildings. There is privatized housing, a shopping mall, bank, credit union, post office, chapels, medical and veterinary facilities, day care center, movie theater, golf courses, bowling alley, fast food restaurants, a park, and just about anything else you might expect to find in a city or town, anywhere in America.
Fort Meade has a rich history, dating back 90 years to 1917 when Camp Meade was authorized by Congress and the current site was selected. For additional information, be sure to visit the Fort George G. Meade Museum, when you arrive.
Anne Arundel County is proud to be the home of Fort Meade, and you will find that we are quite military-friendly. In fact, many long time Anne Arundel County residents are military retirees or veterans employed with the Federal Government or Defense Contractors, such as nearby Northrop Grumman. Welcome to our neighborhood!
BASE ACCESS:
Vehicles - When you arrive at Fort Meade, use the gate on Reece Rd, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is the only visitor access gate; the gates on Mapes and Rockenbach require DoD identification. Active duty military and their family members, retired military and their family members, National Guard & Reserve. civilian employees (CPO/NAF), and retired civilian employees and family members are eligible for DoD vehicle registration decals.
Identification - You can get an ID Card or register for DEERS at the Personnel Processing Branch, 2234 Huber Road. You should call (301) 677-3342 for current wait time to ensure service. The hours of operation are 0730-1530, Monday thru Friday, except the first Thursday of the month when they are closed from 0730 to 1215.
HOUSING:
Abrams Hall - 2793 Hawkins Dr, Ft. Meade, MD, Includes 54 units in family quarters, 191 rooms in bachelor transient quarters, 7 units in units in distinguished visitors' quarters. Reservations are accepted and confirmed 90 days in advance of arrival for TDY and PCS personnel, and seven days in advance for visitors (if space is available).
Bachelor Housing - 32 officer units, 30 senior enlisted units, and 8 centralized barracks units which house 576.
Picerne Military Housing - On-post privatized housing including the following communities: Heritage Park, Midway Common, Meuse Forest, Normandy Bluff, Patriot Ridge, and Potomac Place.
Fort Meade area off-base housing - Free subscription to daily home listings that match your search criteria in nearby Anne Arundel County communities including Crofton, Crownsville, Gambrills, and Odenton. (Information courtesy of Margaret Woda, 301-346-2923).
SCHOOLS:
Maryland schools ranked 3rd in the nation in 2007, so chances are your children will be entering a better school system than the one they left. Anne Arundel County public schools and parochial schools are nearby, and on-post day care is available.
MEDICAL CARE:
PETS:
Family Pet Care Center, located at 5 Range Road, offers boarding, day dare, grooming, training, and pet supplies.
Veterinary Pet Care Center, located at 4550 Parade Field Lane, provides routine pet care for privately owned pets, by appointment.
Relocating with Pets (including a list of Anne Arundel County dog parks and veterinarians)
RECREATION:
Burba Park - Amenities include five picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, softball fields, horseshoe pit, a cottage, a lake surrounded by a blacktop walking path and three fishing piers, and a playground with swings and other equipment.
The Courses at Fort Meade - Two 18-hole courses courses, the Applewood and Parks, and practice facilities including a practice putting green, chipping area and lighted driving range. There's also a clubhouse with fully stocked golf Pro Shop, club storage and repair service, a spacious locker room and meeting space. The dining and lounge facilities offer food and beverage services in a relaxed atmosphere with a great view.
Arts & Crafts Center - Ceramic Shop, Wood Shop and Frame Shop, offering classes in scrapbooking, framing, drawing, painting, ceramics, and other crafts.
Gaffney Fitness Center - Cardio room, training equipment, saunas, sun deck, indoor pool, racquetball courts.
The Lanes - 36 lanes of bowling, a full service Pro Shop (#1 in the Army), and the Pin Deck Cafe.
Camp Meade RV Park -There are fifty camp sites, including three specifically designed for handicap access, and four camper cabins which each sleep six. Rates range from $25-$35 daily for Active/National Guard/Reservists/Retired/DoD civilians, and Environmental Protection Agency employees only. The Fort Meade RV Storage Lot, located at 2724 Ernie Pyle Road, is open on a space available basis to Active Duty, Reserve, Retired, and DoD Civilian personnel and their family members.
SHOPPING:
Commissary - The main commissary is located in the Shopping Center Complex. The Fort Meade Commissary opened in June 1986. Special features are the In-store Service Bakery, Deli Department and Value Mart.
Exchange Services - A large shopping center complex houses the Main Exchange Store and a variety of concessions. These include a beauty shop, barber, shoe repair, jeweler and watch repair, flower shop, tailor service, optical shop, video rental, laundry and food court.
Branch Exchanges, Annexes and Activities - NSA Annex, Building 9810
PXTRA, Building 2790
Trading Post Shoppette: Building 8601
Meade Shoppette, Building 4706
Service Activities - Car Care Center, Building 4587
Military Clothing Sales Store - The Army Military Clothing Sales Store (AMCSS) is located in Building 392. The Uniform Deferred Payment Plan (DPP) and Will-Call are offered.
Post Thrift Shop - Building 2206 (Corner of 1st and Chisolm). Consignments are accepted on Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00AM-12:30PM, from active duty personnel, retirees, family members with valid I.D. cards and civilian employees assigned to Fort Meade. Items of every description from uniforms, clothing, small appliances and furniture are available.
DINING:
This information barely touches the surface of what to expect when you arrive at Fort Meade. You'll be near Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis, and enjoy opportunities to explore all they have to offer in the coming months. Check out my Visitor's Guide to help you plan outings to the many museums, monuments, theaters and concert halls that will bring history and the arts to life for you and your family while you're at Fort Meade.
If you have a home to sell in another part of the country before you relocate to Fort Meade, check out my blog post Why Military Relocation Just Got Easier.
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Thank you for your service to our country! I look forward to having an opportunity to serve you and your family.
As a Navy wife, I experienced several PCS moves myself - not to mention finding, buying and moving my family into a new home while my husband was deployed. I "get" military pay and how the various allowances impact your qualifying to buy a home. And I know how to help military families move into their own home without any cash "up front" - something you cannot do as a renter.
I serve military families throughout the, D.C. - Baltimore - Annapolis area, specializing in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland. You can contact me online or by cell/text at 301-346-2923 to help your family relocate to Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, the U.S. Naval Academy, or any other military installation in D.C. or Maryland.
Including Anne Arundel County Veterinarian Directory and Dog Park Directory
Included in Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, and the U.S. Naval Academy.
From dogs and cats to birds and fish, pets are part of the family and we love them. Whether you're moving across town or around the world, you want your pet's move to go as smoothly as yours.
Last summer, my daughter relocated from Maryland to Texas for a new job, and I traveled in the car with her and her cocker spaniel to help with the move. I had an opportunity to experience first hand the value of adequate preparation for moving with your pet. Here are some of the things that Susan did to prepare for her pet's move:
1. Take your pet to the vet for a check-up and all required shots. Get a complete copy of your pet's medical records and set it aside so it doesn't get packed for the move by mistake. Get refills for any prescriptions so you'll have a good supply available until you find a new vet, and ask your vet for a recommendation regarding a mild sedative for your pet. And ask your vet for a referral to a vet in your destination city.
2. Have your pet bathed and groomed before moving, because it may be a few weeks or months before you find a new groomer. Ask your groomer about a referral to someone in your destination city.
3. If traveling by air, make reservations several weeks in advance for a direct flight. Inquire about any restrictions or requirements and ask whether you can "carry-on" your pet rather than check him in the cargo hold - it will be a lot less traumatic for your pet, if you can. How to Minimize Risk to Your Pet in the Cargo Area of an Airplane
4. If traveling by car, plan your trip and make reservations in advance for any overnight stay(s) at a place that allows pets. Allow time for a rest-stop every two hours, so your pet can stretch, have some water, and relieve itself. Remember, you shouldn't leave your pet in the car unattended (in the summer, your car can quickly reach 120 degrees), so plan on eating at a lot of drive-through restaurants, or bring snacks, sandwiches, fruit and beverages in a cooler.
5. Maintain your routine as much as possible and be aware that your pet may be very confused by the change in his environment, as familiar surroundings are replaced by stacks of moving boxes. A little extra love and attention would be a good thing to reassure your pet during all the upheaval as you prepare for your move.
6. Make plans in advance for moving day to keep your pet in a fenced yard, a closed room, or at someone else's house. The door will be open as movers go in and out, and you don't want your pet running out amid the confusion. You may even wish to board your pet for the last day or two before you hit the road to your destination city.
7. Make plans in advance for move-in day, as well, to keep your pet secure.
8. Pack for your pet, using the following list to make sure you remember everything.
PET PACKING CHECKLIST:
__ Contact information for your veterinarian and a referral to a new vet in your destination community
__ Your pet's up-to-date medical records
__ A bowl and plenty of bottled water
__ A collar and id tag (with your new address), leash, harness, and/or pet carrier.
__ Your pet's usual food (several servings pre-measured in disposable plastic bags) and bowl.
__ Your pet's vitamins and medication
__ Plastic bags for picking up pet waste
__ Paper towels for cleaning up accidents
__ The bed or blanket where your pet usually sleeps
__ Your pet's favorite toys and treats
__ A sturdy comfortable pet transport carrier (required for air travel, and recommended for cats traveling by car)
__ Kitty litter for your cat(s)
Moving overseas?
That's a whole new ballgame, and you probably want to consider a pet transport. List of special considerations for moving overseas with your pet.
What about your fish, hamsters, and gerbils?
Movers and airlines are not pet-friendly when it comes to these. Unless you're traveling a short distance by car, finding a new home for these pets may be best for them and you. If you do transport them by car, some vets recommend you cover the container until you arrive.
Moving your birds
I couldn't say anything more or better than Barbara Bouchard in her article about Moving With Birds. She covers everything from traveling to overnight hotel stays to food and adjustment to the changes.
New to Anne Arundel County?
(This directory is provided to help you identify local veterinarians, but I can't endorse or recommend any.)
Anne Arundel County Veterinarians:
Anne Arundel Veterinary Emergency Clinic, 808 Bestgate Rd, Annapolis, MD, 410-224-0331
Anne Arundel Veterinary Hospital, 4800 Ritchie Hwy., Brooklyn, MD, 410-789-0060
Crofton Veterinary Center, 2151 Defense Highway, Gambrills MD, 410-721-7387
Family Veterinary Clinic, 1413 Defense Defense Highway, Gambrills, MD, 410-721-4545
Fort Meade Veterinary Treatment Center, call (301) 677-1300 to find out if you are eligible
Gambrills Veterinary Center, 1076 Rt. 3 South, Gambrills, MD, 410-721-0001
Glen Burnie Animal Hospital, 408 Crain Hwy, S, Glen Burnie, MD, 410-761-2300
Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital, 1901 Generals Hwy, Annapolis, MD, 410-224-3800
Hoffman Animal Hospital, 15 Old Mill Bottom Rd. N., Annapolis, MD, 410-757-3566
Millersville Animal Hospital, 401 Headquarters Dr., Millersville, MD, 410-987-8300
Odenton Veterinary Hospital, 8393 Piney Orchard R., Odenton, MD, 410-674-3266
Waugh Chapel Animal Hospital, 2638 Brandermill Blvd., Gambrills, MD, 410-451-3700
If you would like to add an Anne Arundel County veterinarian to this list or modify any of the above information, please submit your suggestion in the comments to this blog.
Anne Arundel County Dog Parks:
Bell Branch Park, 2400 Davidsonville Rd, Gambrills, MD, 410-222-7317
Broadneck Park, 618 Broadneck Rd, Annapolis, MD, 410-222-7317
Downs Park (Dog Beach only), 8311 John Downs Loop, Pasadena, MD, 410-222-6230
Maryland City Park, 565 Brockbridge Rd, Laurel, MD, 410-222-7317
Quiet Waters Park (Dog Park and Dog Beach), 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd, Annapolis, MD, 410-222-1777
If you're relocating to Anne Arundel County, and you own a pet, check out Anne Arundel County Animal Control responsibilities as to licensing, vaccinations, and other important matters.
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Find a Home online and learn about Real Estate Market Conditions in Crofton and Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Check out Today's Rates, use the free Mortgage Calculator, and watch a brief video about the Power of RE/MAX. These consumer-friendly real estate tools are provided by Margaret Woda for you to use at your own pace.
When you're ready to go from "just browsing" to "let's get serious", contact Margaret online or call her at RE/MAX Vision in Crofton Maryland. 410-451-1900
Included in Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland - Home of Fort George G. Meade, NSA, Northrop Grumman, BWI, and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Welcome to Anne Arundel County and congratulations on your new job at Northrup Grumman. 
You may be joining about 500 other engineering, electrical design and technical professionals relocating to Maryland this year, including many from other Northrup Grumman divisions in Colorado and California that are being consolidated into the new Space and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems Division.
Or, if Northrop Grumman Corporation's KC-30 Tanker aircraft is selected by the U.S. Air Force, you may fill one of the additional 2,800 jobs that will generate economic activity exceeding $225 million annually in Maryland.
In fact, you could be relocating to Northrop Grumman's main facility in Linthicum Heights or the Information Assurance (IA) team's new headquarters in Millersville. Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems is one of Maryland's largest employers and most of the jobs are located right here in Anne Arundel County.
If your Northrop Grumman job brings you to this area in 2008, you will be in the first wave of 22,000 new jobs near Fort Meade resulting from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). As one of the early arrivals, you will be able to snap up a home while the market is favorable to buyers and possibly profit from the tightening demand as thousands more relocate to the area between now and 2011.
If you have never lived on the East Coast, you can look forward to travelling I-95 through fifteen states, exploring small towns and major cities from Maine to Florida, including Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Savannah, and Miami.
When the traffic gods are smiling, you'll be just two hours from the Atlantic Ocean at Ocean City, Maryland, and Rehobeth Beach, Delaware; major amusement parks such as Six Flags in Maryland, Hershey Park in Pennsylvania and Kings Dominion in Virginia; and historical cities such as Williamsburg, Virginia, and Annapolis, Maryland.
Anne Arundel County residents live less than an hour from D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis - they can literally spend a day sailing on the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis in the morning, cheering for the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in the afternoon, and attending a concert at the Kennedy Center in the evening.
If your job requires travel or you enjoy travelling for vacations, you will love the convenience to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, less than a half hour from Northrop Grumman and anywhere in Anne Arundel County. You can pick up the MARC train at BWI, as well, if you prefer rail travel to D.C., Baltimore, New York City and beyond.
As you begin to gather information for your relocation, please visit my Resource Guide which provides links to schools, transportation, recreation, governments, medical facilities, and a Visitor's Guide (at the bottom of the page) connecting you to the many monuments and museums that bring history and the arts to life for area residents, as well as tourists. You can learn about communities and search online for homes at your own pace and read my local real estate blog, Focus On Crofton. You can even sign up for a free subscription to receive daily notices of new listings that match your search criteria and use my real estate calculator to estimate your monthly payment.
When you're ready to visit the area and get started with your home and community search, please contact me.
Northrop Grumman is a "$32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide." To all of us in Anne Arundel County, Northrop Grumman is a valued neighbor, and we look forward to welcoming you and your family personally.
RELATED LINKS: (not included in Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundl County)
As you get dressed for work today, remember that Friday February 1, 2008 is National Wear Red Day.
Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's nationwide campaign to wipe out heart disease, the #1 killer of women.
One in three women gets heart disease, according to their website. I have no doubt that I'm very much at risk, so this really caught my attention. The goal of Go Red For Women is a 25% reduction in coronary heart disease and stroke risk by the year 2010.
I learned about National Wear Red Day at Macy's in Annapolis Mall when I saw a sign indicating that shoppers wearing RED on Friday, February 1, will get an extra 15% off their purchases of apparel and accessories.
Geoffrey Beene, like Macy's, is supporting the Go Red For Women movement by donating 10% of the price you pay for men's dress shirts, cuff-links or neckwear purchases throughout February. And Brighton will donate $5 from the sale of each Go Red For Women bracelet sold from January 12, 2008 to February 15, 2008 and asked retailers to match that donation. Campbell Soup, Clairol, Hamilton Beach, Pepperidge Farm and several other businesses also have promotions supporting Go Red For Women in February.
What can YOU do to protect yourself from this killer? Continue reading to find a few suggestions from the American Heart Association.
I joined GO RED FOR WOMEN today, and I hope you will too!
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Relocating to the Baltimore-Washington area? Check out Your Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Find a Home and learn about Real Estate Market Conditions in Odenton and Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Check out Today's Rates, use the free Mortgage Calculator, and watch a brief video about the Power of RE/MAX. These consumer-friendly real estate tools are provided by Margaret Woda for you to use at your own pace.
When you're ready to go from "just browsing" to "let's get serious", contact Margaret online or call her at RE/MAX Vision in Crofton Maryland. 410-451-1900
If you're a Crofton or Anne Arundel County resident and behind in your mortgage payments, the #1 piece of advice I have for you is this: OPEN YOUR MAIL!
Avoiding notices from your lender is one of the surest ways to find yourself in foreclosure, because you may overlook proposals from your lender for alternative solutions to your delinquent payments or notices of pending action against you, which you should be aware of.
Please don't "give up" and assume that foreclosure is inevitable if your payments have been late recently or the amount of your loan balance is greater than today's market value.
If you're 30 days or more behind in your mortgage payment on your Anne Arundel County home, CONTACT YOUR LENDER with your account number in hand and ask about these possible ways of avoiding foreclosure:
1. PAY THE DELINQUENCY
Your lender may or may not accept payment in certified funds for any delinquency, including legal fees, to avoid foreclosure. But you should ASK. (According to the VA website, VA loan holders are required to accept payment of the full delinquency and reinstate the loan.)
2. FORBEARANCE/REPAYMENT SCHEDULE
The most common way of resolving a loan default may be to work out a plan with your lender which will let you repay part of the delinquency each month, along with your regular monthly installment. If you are temporarily unable to meet your monthly mortgage obligation, your holder may extend forbearance by agreeing to suspend payments or accept partial payments for a limited period of time until you will be able to begin a repayment schedule.
Many State and local governments, as well as private charitable organizations, have programs which will pay all or part of your mortgage obligation for a fixed period of time.
4. RE-AMORTIZATION
If your loan is re-amortized, the delinquency is added to the loan balance in order to bring your payments up to date. This increases your loan amount and will also increase your monthly payments unless you also request and receive an extension of your loan.
5. PRIVATE SALE
Put your home on the market for sale at market value, or less for a faster sale. Be sure your property is listed on your local MLS, at competitive terms that will encourage agents to show and sell your home. Listing at a rock-bottom commission won't help if your home doesn't sell because no one shows it! Remember PEOPLE sell homes.
If you do not believe you will be able to bring your loan current, a private sale of the property will enable you to meet your obligations and receive any equity you may have. Most private sales net the seller more than the amount owed on the loan.
If the buyer is assuming your current VA loan, be sure to read this brochure to find out how to obtain a release of liability.
6. SHORT SALE / VA COMPROMISE
If your property cannot be sold for an amount equal to or greater than you owe on the loan, it is considered a "short sale". Your lender may or may not agree to accept less than you owe and forgive the difference, but each lender will have its own policies regarding this. You should contact the lender before you put the property on the market to find out what the policy is, and the procedure for getting their approval. Be sure to tell your real estate agent that this will be a short sale, and authorize him/her to disclose that in the listing.
If you have a VA loan, and your balance is greater than or equal to what you owe on the loan, you may be eligible for a VA Compromise, in which VA pays a "compromise claim" for the difference to help you complete the short sale. You must contact VA to obtain prior approval for a sale with a compromise claim. (loans made before 1989 or loans made after 1989).
Note: Some mortgage companies are authorized by VA to approve a sale with a compromise claim.
There was good news last month in the form of Tax Relief for Short Sales - You no longer have to pay federal income tax on the amount forgiven.
7. DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE:
If a private sale does not appear realistic, the mortgage company may consider accepting a deed in lieu of foreclosure. If there are no liens on the property, and the mortgage company agrees to accept a deed, you will have to sign legal papers transferring ownership to the mortgage company.
If you have a VA loan, VA often pays the mortgage company a claim for the difference between the value of the property and the amount you owe on the loan. If a deed is accepted, you may be released from all further liability or you may be asked to agree to repay the Government all or part of the amount paid to the mortgage company. Request the VA form for Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure.
Please note that your mortgage company will usually report "voluntary foreclosure" on your credit report instead of "foreclosure." Lenders will see this when you apply for credit in the future.
8. REFUNDING
If you have a VA loan, do you know that VA has the discretionary authority to buy it from the holder and take over the servicing? This is called "refunding". VA considers this alternative for every loan before foreclosure is completed. If you have the ability to make mortgage payments on your VA loan, or will have the ability in the near future, but your loan holder has decided it cannot extend further forbearance or a repayment plan, you may qualify for refunding.
If your VA loan is in default and you are not able to repay the loan according to the lender's terms, you should download the following forms: VA Form 20-5655, 26-6807a, and Refunding Information List. Submit these forms to the VA Regional office in Roanoke, which services Maryland VA loans, along with a letter stating the reason for default and that you would like to be considered for VA refunding to VA. If refunding is appropriate, VA will notify you.
BEWARE OF ANYONE WHO PROMISES A QUICK AND EASY SOLUTION.
There is no such thing! Resolving your situation will probably require a LOT of follow-up BY YOU with your lender, possibly including hours "on hold" and being transferred from one department to another, without getting any answers. You just have to hang in there until you reach that one person who seems to care AND knows how to help you. If you don't find that person on your first call, try again!
In addition to reading your mail and talking with your lender about possible solutions, another thing you can do to address this situation is to work with a REALTOR who "gets" this market and has experience helping people in default on their mortgages. At least find out what your home is worth in today's market, the estimated time to sell and close, what your net proceeds from sale will be, if any, and explore your options of where to live if you do sell your home or lose it in foreclosure.
No amount of magic will erase this situation, but you can minimize the unpleasantness by facing it head on, whether you live in Crofton or anywhere in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
RELATED LINKS:
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Relocating to the Baltimore-Washington area? Check out Your Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Find a Home and learn about Real Estate Market Conditions in Odenton and Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Check out Today's Rates, use the free Mortgage Calculator, and watch a brief video about the Power of RE/MAX. These consumer-friendly real estate tools are provided by Margaret Woda for you to use at your own pace.
When you're ready to go from "just browsing" to "let's get serious", contact Margaret online or call her at RE/MAX Vision in Crofton Maryland. 410-451-1900
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Real estate adviser and advocate for home buyers and sellers in Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton, Davidsonville, Gambrills, Odenton, Fort Meade, and other nearby communities in the D.C.-Baltimore area
When you live in Anne Arundel County Maryland, you can play a round of golf in Crofton,
go sailing on the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, and then attend a ballgame at Camden Yards in Baltimore
or a concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. - all in the same day!
Maryland home sellers will find easy access to recent home sale data on my website, and information in my Homeseller Guide about pricing, preparing your home for showing, creating curb appeal, and marketing your home. Talk to me to find out how the "BRAC Factor" could impact your home sale. A successful home sale involves a lot more than just finding a buyer, and we will work together to achieve your real estate goals. If you are relocating to another area - across town, across country, or anywhere in the world - I will find a well-qualified agent for you at your destination. Military and civilian transferees to Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, and the U.S. Naval Academy value my first-hand experience as a Naval Officer's wife. I've "been there, done that" when it comes to military moves, and I'm happy to help you with everything from buying a home to finding a local hairdresser or babysitter. You will find several links of special interest to military families in my Crofton Area Resource Guide. (NOTE: Personnel assigned to the Pentagon, Naval Station Anacostia, Marine Barracks, Walter Reed and other D.C.-Baltimore area military installations sometimes call Crofton home, too, since the commute is usually within 60 minutes.) I have truly enjoyed the privilege of sharing this journey with my clients for many years - 
Maryland home buyers, I will introduce you to the friendly suburban neighborhoods of Crofton and Odenton, rural areas such as beautiful Davidsonville, and charming water-oriented communities near Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay. I will help you explore your financing options and refer you to other real estate professionals including mortgage lenders, home inspectors, and closing attorneys. If you are in the "research stage" for your next home purchase, you may want to search the MLS at your own pace, request a complimentary Relocation Guide, or read the helpful articles in my Homebuyer Guide. When you are ready to make a move, I will be ready to help you.
through buyers' markets and sellers' markets, inflation and recession, war and peace.
Yet I am still passionate about being the best possible adviser and advocate for my clients, from start to finish.
Nothing would please me more than the opportunity to create a real estate success story for you now -
whether you are a home buyer, seller or referring agent.
New to the area? Check out Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County, Maryland Create your own customized home search, limiting results to those that meet your own search criteria. Just click on Search for Homes
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Why Margaret Woda?
When it comes to technology, just check out my blogs here on ActiveRain and Localism, my website, my highly acclaimed community blog (FocusOnCrofton.com), online property fliers posted to several traditional and non-traditional real estate sites, market snapshots, real estate calculators, and single-property websites. You can communicate with me by cell phone, email, AIM, MS Messenger, text message or video-conference. If a new innovation comes along, you can count on me to use it in my business, to serve my clients well, to be the best possible adviser and advocate they could find. If you are comparison-shopping for a Maryland REALTOR based on real estate qualifications, why not use the same criteria as the Anne Arundel County Association of REALTORS when they chose me as Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year in 1992: Professional Knowledge, Business Success, Industry Leadership, Community Involvement, and Ethical Standards of Practice. Aren't these the same qualities you're looking for in a REALTOR who represents you? I am BOTH tech-savvy AND an experienced real estate professional, a rare combination! You can read more about me on my blog, but here are a few of my professional and personal activities, both past* and present: Professional Certifications and Licenses:
Margaret Woda is a household name in Anne Arundel County real estate circles, after thirty years in this business. But you may be looking for something more tangible, some real qualifications that help differentiate one agent from another in this tough market - evidence that the agent you choose is tech-savvy, as well as experienced in real estate.
REALTOR Industry Leadership:
Community Involvement:
Personal:
Again, please note those marked with an * are past activities. I include them here because I firmly believe in this quote from Miriam Wolfe:
This day is mine. It is unique. No one else in the world has one exactly like it.
It is the sum of all my past experiences and and all my future potential.
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Why Long & Foster?
Home sellers and buyers experience individualized attention, superior professionalism and unparalleled resources at Long & Foster. Yet clients also benefit from the prominent online presence of LongandFoster.com and the market dominance of Long & Foster in Crofton and throughout the Middle Atlantic states. I'm proud to be affiliated with a local market leader, and eager to show you how Long & Foster will make a difference in your next real estate transaction. 
Long & Foster is conveniently located in Crofton, Maryland - about a half hour from Baltimore to the north, Annapolis to the east, and Washington, D.C. to the west. I chose to work with this office for many of the same reasons that you might:
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You can count on Margaret!
Crofton real estate is synonymous with your name, and I can't imagine working with any other agent. I looked at three homes with you and would have been happy with any of them. Then you negotiated a great price and terms for me. Thank you! Carolyn Emanuele
When people ask why I decided to get into real estate, I always tell them I was inspired by my agent. Thank you for being my agent, my mentor and my friend! Latana Garvey
You left no stone unturned to get us results when our previous agent failed, and you were so pleasant to work with. Thank you for the website and all the online marketing you did for our home. Bill and Jo Mafera
You are relentless, and I'm just glad you were on my side! Jim Morrissey
I was faced with a short-sale, and Margaret knew about a program that would save my credit and satisfy the lender. As a result, I was able to buy another home. Debbie Smalle
You helped us buy in a tough seller's market, and you got top dollar for our condo when we relocated. You're the best! Ben and Jan Bachmann
Margaret was so patient as I struggled with the decision to sell my home of 26 years. Then she sold it in just one day at full price. Betty Brooks
When my anxiety level reached a boiling point, you "stayed the course" and calmed my fears. Now I have so much to thank you for - selling my home quickly at full price so I could buy my next home, and helping me find a home for my Mom. Larkin Plato
As a RE/MAX agent myself, I had high expectations when we relocated to Maryland. You exceeded them, however, with your knowledge of things that were important to us such as commuting options and community amenities, as well as real estate. I'm so glad to have you for a friend, now that we're official Marylanders. Kathy and Mac McKee
We selected Margaret for her professionalism, thoroughness and honesty. We were not disappointed! We sold two homes and bought one with her help. Dan Stachurski
Without your help, we never could have accomplished so much in such a short time. We LOVE the house you found for. Kevin and Debbie Means
We found more than a new home and community; we found a new friend in you. We can't wait to have you over after we get settled in. Tim and Alice Spinner
Three other agents tried to sell our house. Only you had the knowledge to truly make it happen. We will always be grateful. Dan and Sue Plefka
When I refer my friends or relatives to Margaret, I can rely on her quick response, intimate knowledge of the area, and financing expertise to assure that their real estate dreams are achieved. Phylis Collins
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