The Crofton Civic Association annual meeting is tonight at Crofton Elementary School (7:30 p.m.) and the “hot topic” will be the future of Lake Louise.
Once the jewel of Crofton’s curb appeal, Lake Louise has been an eyesore for years.
In the early days of my real estate career, prospective home buyers were always impressed at the lovely entrance into “Old Crofton” – the beautiful pond known as “Lake Louise” and the meticulously maintained lawns. No more. Now their first impression of our neighborhood can be summarized in one word, “OLD”.
Contrast this with their impression as they drive into other nearby communities and even shopping centers where the lawns and beds at the entrance are impeccably maintained, seasonal flowers are in bloom, and water features often include a fountain, lighting and sometimes a walking path and benches…
There are several proposals for Lake Louise on the table, and you probably already read about them on the Crofton Civic Association website or in the letter mailed to every household. You’ll learn more about each option if you attend the meeting tonight.
The property value of every homeowner in Crofton will be impacted by any decision regarding the future of Lake Louise. That’s because the decision of prospective homebuyers to choose our community over another (let alone your home) will be influenced by the “curb appeal” of Crofton’s front yard along Route 3. A beautifully maintained entrance into the community creates that important “first impression” for the neighborhood. As you’ve heard before, “you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression.”
Please keep that in mind as you consider all the options, and don’t “settle” for anything less than a first class landscaping and maintenance package for Crofton’s front yard. A “natural” look in your front yard wouldn’t appeal to many homebuyers, and it’s not likely to attract many of them past those front gates and into our community either.
“But I can’t run from my front door to the corner mailbox!”
That’s a quote from my daughter Susan a few years ago when someone challenged her to participate in the Cherry Blossom Run. And she wasn't kidding, when she said that. After her doctor advised that asthma was no excuse for saying “no” – in fact, it would be good for her – she went online and found a training program for beginning runners. And yes, she did finish the race. If she could do it, you can, too!
Now y
ou can train with local resident and prominent runner, trainer and author Christine Hinton, also known as The Running Coach.
Christine is offering her 10–week training program for Crofton area runners, beginning on September 19 at Crofton Country Club or Christine’s house, depending on the size of the group. They’ll be running in and around Crofton, in all weather conditions, as preparation for the Annapolis Striders 11th annual Cold Turkey 10k (6.2 miles) on Sunday November 22 at 8 a.m. Plan on an hour for the initial session, and more time as the running distance increases.
If you prefer, you can train for the 8k Downs Park 5 Miler on Saturday November 7 at 8:30 a.m. (Or you can train just for the heck of it and not participate in any race at all!)
Unsure? Take a minute to read Christine’s Top Ten Reasons to Hire a Coach.
Here’s what you need to bring to the first training session:
Running shoes and clothing, hat, gloves, water bottle
change of clothes for ride home or coat to cover up, towel,
completed Runner’s Questionnaire, signed Waiver Form, and your payment ($100 for the 10–week training, $80 for the 8–week training).
What you get:
Visit Christine’s website and her blog for more details about Coach Christine, the training program, and the benefits of training.
Running in and around Crofton with a bunch of other local folks sounds to me like a great opportunity for making new friends, having a lot of fun, and learning how to run correctly. What are you waiting for?
For more information, contact Coach Christine Hinton at 410-562-2277 or TheRunningCoach@comcast.net.
It's going to be a "staycation" for many families in the Bowie - Crofton area this Labor Day Weekend. That could mean going to the movies, a last dip in the pool, shopping, looking at homes...
Regal Bowie Crossing Stadium 14, located near the Route 97 Exit off Route 50, has something for everyone, if going to the movies is on your wish list for the weekend. Here's the what's showing:
If these shows or their scheduled times don't tempt you, we have no shortage of other movie theaters within a half hour.
It's a great weekend for looking at homes in the Bowie-Crofton area, too, so give me a call if you'd like to find out what's available. I'll check the listings and schedule appointments for the Top Five matching your search criteria.
No, not more money... more expertise than I have.
I can sell a run-down home, even one that must be sold "as-is" because the sellers have no financial resources for repairs...BUT please understand...
I may be good at what I do, but there are limits!
When faced with this situation today, I declined a listing. I provided the name and contact information for two attorneys who are qualified to advise the sellers and a website address of potential destination locations for the sellers. I even promised to be available for them after they get the professional advice and counseling they need and there is a plan for where the sellers will go or what they will do if the house sells.
I really hope this family doesn't hook up with an irresponsible agent who takes advantage of them. If anyone can sell this property, I can - but the last thing I want to do is sell their home and make their situation worse than it is now.
I'm a really good real estate agent, but that's all. When sellers wants or need more, they must turn to qualified professionals in other fields.
Chapman Farm is a community of more than 500 detached homes built in the 90's on the west side of Reidel Road in Crofton, Maryland.
It's a beautiful community of well-kept homes built around a designated "historic" home and outbuildings on a site now used as a community clubhouse and playground, with ample parking.
No doubt about it... home buyers love Chapman Farm! Nearly 30% of all detached homes that went under contract during August in Crofton were located in Chapman Farms. These homes ranged in price from roughly $485,000 to $585,000. Now there are only four active listings remaining on the market, so you'd better go check them out!
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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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