Distinctive brick gates mark the main entrance into "Old" Crofton on Route 3 in Anne Arundel County, but what's beyond those gates? Well, here's your answer - Crawford Boulevard, the block-long tree-lined street that welcomes you into our community.
"OLD" CROFTON
"Old Crofton" is not the only local community with tree-lined streets, however. Take a look at these other neighborhoods in the Greater Crofton Area:
NANCARLES
An upscale community in Gambrills on Rt. 450
HALLMARK WOODS
A Gambrills community of detached homes on acre-plus lots
THE RIDGES
A Crownsville community of custom-built homes
HUNTINGTON WOODS
The entrance to a Gambrills community of custom-built homes
AVILA
A Davidsonville community of custom-built homes
De-bunking the myth that "My agent didn't do a damn thing to get my house sold... she just got lucky and now I have to pay her all that money for nothing!"
Since "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity," let's take a peek at Act III of Behind the Scenes to find out what makes your agent (and you) so "lucky."
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When your agent returns to her office with your signed listing, it is dark inside. The office has closed for the night, but she takes a deep breath, unlocks the door and steps inside to begin the job of selling your home.
Scene 1... At the agent's desk
Your agent reviews all the ddocuments you completed and signed to make sure they are not missing any information, initials, dates or signatures.Scene 2... Early the next day, your agent returns to her office to begin the marketing efforts for your home.
Scene 3... In the coming weeks
Your agent contacts you at least weekly with the following information: new listings and new contracts in your community; significant changes in interest rates; feedback from any showings; website traffic for your propertyFor some home sellers, your agent will refer someone to help you clean, repair or stage your home; she may hold an open house, depending on the property location and condition; she may refer you to an agent in your destination city...
Your agent knows that "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Her thorough and accurate preparation, presentation, and effective marketing and followup are key elements in creating this "luck" for you... and the reason you pay her all that money - but not UNLESS and UNTIL she procures a buyer whose terms are acceptable to you.
To be continued...
Behind the Scenes - When an offer is received
Earlier Episodes of Behind the Scenes:
HABITAT Condos in Crofton Meadows, Crofton Maryland - Affordable Homes Near Fort Meade
There are some homeowners in Habitat who are younger than their homes - but that doesn't seem to bother them. That's because Habitat is ideal for first-time buyers as well as empty nesters, retirees and anyone looking for a rock-bottom price and a Crofton address. That's been the market for Habitat since Day One, when they were first built.
Habitat is located off Reidel Road in Crofton, easily accessible from Fort Meade and BWI on the north and from the Crofton Triangle on the south. Commuting to D.C., Annapolis, or Baltimore is 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic and your precise destination.
Don't let the low price of these Crofton condos fool you... this is a nice community with homes ranging from about 800 - 1200 sq. feet. Many of them overlook the Crofton Meadows pond (right).
Each Habitat building contains four condo units, each a distincty different floor plan, and four garages. There are three 2-bedroom units and one 3-bedroom unit in each building, and each has a private patio area - or, in the case of the 3-bedroom unit located over the garages, a balcony.
There are four Habitat units on the market now (8/22/09): Three 2-bedroom homes at $150,000, $185,000 and $199,500, plus one 3-bedroom home at $224,900. Chances are good that the monthly payment on these is less than you would pay for rent anywhere in the area. Check out the listings of Homes for Sale in HABITAT today (updates automatically to the date you click on this link.)
NEIGHBORHOODS IN CROFTON MARYLAND:
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MUST-READ INFO FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING A MOVE TO CROFTON MD:
Crof
ton, Maryland - A Wonderful Place to Live!
Crofton residents enjoy the cherry tree-lined streets in Spring, a crafts fair and Boy Scout-sponsored chicken barbeque at the Village Green in Fall, the annual Christmas tree lighting in front of Crofton Country Club, plus lots of organizations and year-round activities...
Top 3 Reasons to Buy Your Next Home in Crofton, MD
You know what they say about the most important things in real estate - Location, Location, and Location. When the traffic gods are smiling, Crofton is only about 30 minutes to NSA, Annapolis, Baltimore's I-695, D.C.'s I-495 and BWI Airport.
Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Crofton MD Townhome
You probably already know that Crofton, Maryland, was named one of Money Magazine's Top 100 Best Places to live last year, based on its location, amenities, affordability and other criteria. But why buy a Crofton townhouse, rather than a detached house?
Crofton Real Estate - Tee it up!
My dad always said that a golf course is the best place to raise children, and I have to echo his sentiment. A child who runs home from school to get his golf clubs and practice is not hanging out in an alley experimenting with drugs. An adolescent or teen who plays 18 or 36 holes...
Crofton, Gambrills, and Odenton - One Community or Three?-
"The Greater Crofton Area" is generally considered to include Crofton, Gambrills, and Odenton - three distinctly different communities located in the D.C.-Baltimore-Annapolis Triangle. (And, I might add, there are distinctly different neighborhoods within each community.)
De-bunking the myth that "My agent didn't do a damn thing to get my house sold... she just got lucky and now I have to pay her all that money for nothing!"
Since "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity," let's take a peek at Act II of Behind the Scenes to find out what makes your agent (and you) so "lucky."
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As the curtain opens on Act II of this drama, your agent is making final preparations for her presentation, ie., the moment when she will step "on stage" at your home.
Scene 1... At the office (2 hours before the scheduled appointment)
(Or, if she has her own administrative staff, she grabs the package of these materials prepared by her assistant and adds them to your folder or envelope.)
The curtain falls as she departs her office...
Scene 2... At your home
Your agent wastes no time, but goes straight to the information you want to know - "What's happening in the real estate market and how will that impact the sale of my home?" - as she presents you with the Market Value Analysis and Market Trends Analysis she spent days preparing. In some cases, she will present only the conclusions of her reports, and keep the supporting documentation in her file; in others, she will go over every detail with you. This depends on many things such as the circumstances of the sale, your surroundings (crying baby, etc.), and her or your personal preference.Your agent suggests a break, now, so you have an opportunity to digest all this information. The stage goes dim as you adjourn to the kitchen for a cold drink and cookies (hint, hint... lemonade and cookies would be nice for you to have ready - or coffee, if it's cold outside.)
Scene 3... Seated at your kitchen table
Your agent knows that "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Her thorough and accurate preparation AND presentation is a key element in creating this "luck" for you... and the reason you pay her all that money - but not UNLESS and UNTIL she procures a buyer whose terms are acceptable to you.
To be continued...
Behind the Scenes - After Your Home is Listed
DISCLAIMER: Your agent may or may not do everything listed above. I took the time to write down these steps after a recent listing appointment, but some appointments may differ and some materials may be presented in a different order.
Real estate statistics for Crofton in July 2009 were much improved over last month and, in some categories, over the same month last year.
I wouldn’t get too excited, though, because the number of new non-contingent contracts in July was only fifteen - less than 10% of the available inventory. Add to that the forty-five new listings last month, and you’ll see why my optimism is guarded.
Just take a look at this graph, to see what a small percentage of homes have sold each month since the beginning of the year. With an inventory like this, we can’t expect Crofton home values to revive any time soon.
I thought you might like to see a comparison of average home prices in the Greater Crofton area – Crofton (21114), Davidsonville (21035, Gambrills (21054) and Odenton (21113).
Gambrills and Davidsonville both have some high-value properties that can dramatically impact the sales statistics, and not necessarily reflect the market very accurately… especially during a month when very few homes sell.
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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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DISCLAIMER: Margaret Woda does not endorse or accept responsibility for the information or views expressed on ActiveRain websites by any other individual or business. Original content and images posted to ActiveRain by Margaret Woda are copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without specific written permission. Content and views of Margaret Woda are not necessarily those of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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