Anne Arundel County Property Owners Face Stiff New Vegetation-Removal Rules

Effective April 16, prior county approval is needed to cut, prune or remove vegetation within 1,000 feet of tidal waters, tidal wetlands

Anne Arundel County property owners seeking to cut, prune or remove natural vegetation anywhere within 1,000 feet of tidal waters or tidal wetlands must now obtain prior approval of such activities or face stiff penalties.

Under new county regulations that took effect April 16, affected property owners must submit -- and obtain prior county approval of -- a standard vegetation/buffer management plan before removing any existing natural vegetation within key areas. Such areas include designated Critical Areas, buffers and expanded buffers, areas subject to Forest Conservation Easements and all properties containing bogs and bog buffers.

Property owners, contractors and other individuals found performing unapproved work on site are subject to fines, mitigation requirements and civil and/or criminal prosecution.

The new vegetation-protection initiative was adopted under Anne Arundel County Legislative Bill 93-12. The county’s Department of Inspections and Permits recently issued a formal notice to local arbor contractors outlining the new requirements.

The legislation contains certain mitigation (replacement) requirements for existing natural vegetation approved for removal and includes allowable clearing thresholds for affected properties.

The county’s notice to arbor contractors clarifies that activities involving earth disturbance, including grading, hardscaping and other construction and development activities, remain subject to a standard grading plan, and cannot be approved under a standard vegetation/buffer management plan.

For more information on the new rules, contact the county’s Code Compliance Division/Forestry Section at (410) 222-7441.

Jerry Kline is a Realtor with the Odenton, Md., office of Keller Williams Flagship Realty (1216 Annapolis Rd., Odenton.) For more information on the local real estate market, contact him at (443) 924-7418.

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Maryland Homeowners: Get Ready for Strict New Smoke Alarm Rules

Beginning July 1, homeowners and landlords will need to periodically update battery and hard-wired systems to improve safety

Maryland homeowners face stringent new mandates relating to the smoke detectors in their homes, as a result of new rules set to take effect July 1.

Under legislation (HB 1413 & SB 969) approved by the Maryland General Assembly and expected to be signed by the governor, homeowners must update the smoke detectors in their homes to newer sealed-battery systems if the smoke detectors are battery operated and are over 10 years old or malfunction when tested. Smoke detectors that are hard-wired also must be updated every 10 years or when those systems malfunction.

For homeowners selling their properties, sellers must disclose in writing whether their smoke detectors are more than 10 years old and whether the systems use a 10-year sealed battery. The required notice will be added to the seller “Property Condition Disclosure” Form, one of the documents realtors use to process the home-sale transaction.

The new legislation also requires that at least one smoke detector be located on every floor of a home by 2018.

Requirements for Landlords

Landlords of one- and two-dwelling units also face new requirements. They must upgrade battery smoke detectors to new, 10-year sealed battery units whenever there’s a change in occupancy or when those systems are 10 years old or malfunction.

Landlords for buildings with more than two units also are affected. The legislation assigns tenants of those units responsibility for testing the smoke alarms and notifying their landlords of any problems. Where problems occur, the landlords are required to replace or repair the broken systems.

Jerry Kline is a Realtor with the Odenton, Md., office of Keller Williams Flagship Realty (1216 Annapolis Rd., Odenton.) For more information on the local real estate market, contact him at (443) 924-7418.

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Real Estate Sales Activity Picks Up in Gambrills' Saddlebrooke Community

In the Gambrills Saddlebrooke neighborhood bordering Odenton, five homes have sold in the last six months.

Saddlebrooke has been shaking off the real estate doldrums the past few months, with five homes sold in the community since October 2012. Average home prices in the neighborhood have dropped each of last two years, however, as the regional market for properties valued $500,000 or more remains fairly soft.

Homes Sold in Saddlebrooke

2010

2011

2012

2013

No. Homes Sold

5

1

6

2

Foreclosures/Short Sales Sold

1

0

1

1

Avg. List Price of Homes

$607,658

$689,900

$631,450

$584,950

Avg. Sold Price of Homes

$584,100

$640,000

$616,167

$540,000

Avg. Sold/List Price Ratio

96%

93%

98%

92%

Avg. Days on Market

217

154

109

200

While home prices in the community are down, it’s worth noting that two of the most recent Saddlebrooke home sales – 1408 Travers Court and 1334 Bluegrass Way -- were short sales. Interestingly, the two short-sale properties are the only five-bedroom homes to sell in Saddlebrooke since 2010.

The five-bedroom home at 215 Heatherbloom Trail currently is for sale at $689,900.

Homes Sold in Saddlebrooke  2012-2013

MLS No.

Address

Short

Sale?

List

Price

Sold

Price

Closing

Date

BR

BA

FP

Gar

Days on

Market

AA7963765

1504 Winfields Ln

No

$579,900

$550,000

1/31/13

4

3.5

1

2

249

AA7789033

1408 Travers Ct

Yes

$590,000

$530,000

1/21/13

5

3.5

1

2

150

AA7919333

1334 Bluegrass Way

Yes

$579,000

$570,000

12/28/12

5

3.5

1

2

8

AA7874182

1529 Winfields Ln

No

$599,900

$599,000

11/28/12

4

3.5

1

2

118

AA7912069

1339 Bluegrass Way

No

$675,000

$643,000

10/4/12

4

3.5

1

2

28

AA7728342

1539 Winfields Ln

No

$599,900

$600,000

7/31/12

4

3.5

1

2

389

AA7768059

211 Heatherbloom Tr

No

$645,000

$635,000

6/18/12

3

2.5

2

2

77

AA7769350

1326 Bluegrass Way

No

$689,900

$650,000

4/18/12

4

4.5

1

2

36

It’s also important to note how long the homes recently sold in Saddlebrooke were on the market. Of the eight properties most recently sold, three sold within a month or so, three were on the market between two and five months and two languished on the market for eight months or more.

Saddlebrooke Homes Currently for Sale

Three of Saddlebrooke’s 122 homes currently are listed for sale. The descriptions below come from the MLS listings for each property.

Homes Currently for Sale in Saddlebrooke

MLS No.

Address

List

Price

BR

BA

FP

Gar

Days on Market

as of 4/10/13

AA8047990

1525 Winfields Lane

$630,000

4

2.5

1

2

4

AA8026997

215 Heatherbloom Trail

$689,900

5

4.5

1

2

31

AA8020439

202 Heatherbloom Trail

$759,000

4

4.5

1

2

40

● 1525 Winfields Lane:

http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?k=2833594X4VTT&p=DE-195961853-737

Well-maintained, with a formal living room, dining room, office, family room & two-story foyer, all on main level. Upgraded kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counters & premium cabinets. The four BRs include a master with sitting room & luxury bath. Huge unfinished basement, paver patio & one-year home warranty.

● 215 Heatherbloom Trail:

http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?k=2833594X4VTT&p=DE-195961813-375

Stafford model with two-story foyer. Includes hardwood floors & gourmet kitchen. Maintenance-free deck with retractable awning & gazebo. Four BRs & four full BAs, plus powder room. Buddy bath on second level. Two-story family room with gallery overlook. Huge master bedroom with deluxe garden bath. Very large rec. room with wet bar. Extensive paver patio & landscaping.

● 202 Heatherbloom Trail:

http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?k=2833594X4VTT&p=DE-195961733-946

Features a grand two-story foyer, hardwood floors, large formal living room and dining room. Gourmet kitchen with GE Profile/Monogram appliances. Family room with Mendota gas FP. Master bath is newly remodeled with tile and glass. Large walk-in closet. Screened porch off of kitchen. Fully finished lower level with kitchenette. Custom heated saltwater 18,800 gallon pool.

Jerry Kline is a Realtor with the Odenton, Md., office of Keller Williams Flagship Realty (1216 Annapolis Rd., Odenton.) For more information on the local real estate market, contact him at (443) 924-7418.

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