Piney Station Real Estate Update - 2620 Barred Owl Way

Piney Orchard homes for sale

Piney Station is One of 41 Subcommunities Comprising Piney Orchard in Odenton, Maryland

Another steep price drop for 2620 Barred Owl Way in the Piney Orchard section of Odenton, Maryland, shows the dangers of overpricing your property.

The home was first listed for sale at $365,000, then the price was lowered to $345,000 a few weeks ago. It's now been reduced to $319,900. The home has been on the market for 72 days.

It's an REO property, meaning the home has just been through the foreclosure process. But for an REO, it's in terrific condition. Brand new neutral paint and carpet throughout. Upgraded cabinets & granite counters. 3-level bumpout. Superbath with separate tub and shower. Large deck with walk-out basement and a paver patio. 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths.

Fannie Mae, which owns the property, requires that the buyers pay 100 percent of the state transfer and recordation charges on the transaction. See the full listing with all the photos here: http://mrislistings.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?k=4021770XPX7X&p=DE-340785888-659#1

Just Listed For Sale -- 29632 Tallulah Lane in Easton

Easton homes for sale

Take a look at this 10+ home just listed at 29632 Tallulah Lane in Easton, Maryland. At $275,900, what a bargain! This 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath property is loaded with upgrades. And so tastefully presented!

Easton homes for sale

New neutral paint and wood flooring throughout. New stainless steel kitchen appliances! A new HVAC system! 4 good-sized bedrooms, including a HUGE master bedroom suite.

Easton homes for sale

Also featured is a large concrete front porch, perfect for sitting out in the evenings with a cool drink. An extra-deep garage includes a workbench and lots of storage. There's a spacious, fenced backyard with a deck and shed.

All this is located in a prime location near shopping and restaurants! And no HOA!

Buyers also should note that the sellers want to sell virtually all of the furnishings, most of which are new. So you can move in with just a suitcase!

Easton homes for sale

Call me (443-924-7418) today for more info on this fantastic property! MLS# TA9793623

Jerry Kline is a Realtor with the Odenton, Maryland, office of Keller Williams Flagship of Maryland (1216 Annapolis Rd., Odenton, MD 21113.) For more information on the local real estate market, contact him at (443) 924-7418.

The Best Schools Near Fort Meade, Maryland

Fort Meade Schools

Ratings for Fort Meade-Area Public Schools Can Vary Greatly Depending on Neighborhood

As an active realtor in the Fort Meade, Maryland, area, I get calls and emails all the time from families needing to relocate to this area from all over the world.

Active-duty military personnel and others moving to work at Fort Meade often know nothing about living in the Baltimore/Annapolis/Washington, D.C. triangle, and one of the first questions many ask is about the quality of schools near the military installation.

As with almost any area, school quality in and around Fort Meade can vary greatly depending on neighborhood. Below is a list of the top-ranked public schools in the communities directly surrounding Fort Meade -- namely, Odenton, Severn, Jessup, Hanover, Gambrills, Laurel and Crofton.

For a free list of homes for sale or rent in an individual school district, contact me by phone (443-924-7418) or email (JerryKline@kw.com).

The school ratings provided below are taken from GreatSchools.org, the preeminent online school-rating website. GreatSchools.org compares schools based on test scores and other available data, including student academic growth and college readiness. Greatschools.org also provides school reviews written by parents, teachers, students and caregivers who have had recent, direct experience with their school to share its strengths and weaknesses.

(Note: Greatschools.org profiles, but does not rate, private schools.)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ (10 out of 10)

Crofton Woods Elementary School (Crofton)

Four Seasons Elementary School (Gambrills)

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9 out of 10)

Crofton Elementary School (Crofton)

Nantucket Elementary School (Crofton)

Pershing Hill Elementary School (Fort Meade)

Piney Orchard Elementary School (Odenton)

Ridgeway Elementary School (Severn)

Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8 out of 10)

Bond Mill Elementary School (Laurel)

Brock Bridge Elementary School (Laurel)

Crofton Meadows Elementary School (Crofton)

Gorman Crossing Elementary School (Laurel)

Hammond Elementary School (Laurel)

Jessup Elementary School (Jessup)

Manor View Elementary School (Fort Meade)

Waugh Chapel Elementary School (Odenton)

Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7 out of 10)

Forest Ridge Elementary School (Laurel)

Odenton Elementary School (Odenton)

Severn Elementary School (Severn)

Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6 out of 10)

Laurel Woods Elementary School (Laurel)

Montpelier Elementary School (Laurel)

Seven Oaks Elementary School (Odenton)

Quarterfield Elementary School (Severn)

Rating: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5 out of 10)

Hebron Harman Elementary School (Hanover)

Maryland City Elementary School (Laurel)

Meade Heights Elementary School (Fort Meade)

Scotchtown Hills Elementary School (Laurel)

Rating: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4 out of 10)

Bollman Bridge Elementary School (Jessup)

James H. Harrison Elementary School (Laurel)

Oaklands Elementary School (Laurel)

Van Bokkelen Elementary School (Severn)

Rating: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3 out of 10)

Deerfield Run Elementary School (Laurel)

Laurel Elementary School (Laurel)

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ (10 out of 10)

Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School (Hanover) (grades 6-12)

Hammond Middle School (Laurel)

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9 out of 10)

Chesapeake Math & IT Academy Public Charter School (Laurel) (grades 6-10)

Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8 out of 10)

Crofton Middle School (Gambrills)

Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7 out of 10)

Arundel Middle School (Odenton)

Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6 out of 10)

Murray Hill Middle School (Laurel)

Rating: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5 out of 10)

Macarthur Middle School (Fort Meade)

Patuxent Valley Middle School (Jessup)

Rating: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4 out of 10)

Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School (Laurel)

Meade Middle School (Fort Meade)

HIGH SCHOOLS

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ (10 out of 10)

Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School (Hanover) (grades 6-12)

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9 out of 10)

Chesapeake Math & IT Academy Public Charter School (Laurel) (grades 6-10)

Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8 out of 10)

Arundel High School (Gambrills)

Rating: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4 out of 10)

Laurel High School (Laurel)

Meade High School (Fort Meade)

For more information on the schools listed above -- or schools located further from Fort Meade -- check out the GreatSchools.org website, or contact the following county school boards:

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Website: http://aacps.org/

Phone: 410-222-5000

Prince Georges County Public Schools

Website: http://www1.pgcps.org/

Phone: 301-952-6000

Howard County Public Schools

Website: http://www.hcpss.org/

Phone: 410 -313-6600

For a free list of homes for sale or rent in an individual school district, contact me by phone (443-924-7418) or email (JerryKline@kw.com).

Jerry Kline is a Realtor with the Odenton, Maryland, office of Keller Williams Flagship of Maryland (1216 Annapolis Rd., Odenton, MD 21113.) For more information on the local real estate market, contact him at (443) 924-7418.

Congratulations Dave & Karen on Your New Severn Home!

Severn Homes for Sale

With their young and growing family, Dave & Karen were quickly outgrowing their on-base home at Fort Meade, Maryland. They contacted me earlier this summer to help them find a single-family property with good value, and in a few weeks, we found a home that fit their needs perfectly.

Thank you very much for choosing me as your buyers agent, Dave & Karen, and thanks for all the great times we had looking at properties with the kids!

Gambrills Custom Estate Home for Sale – 900 St. Eva Lane -- $829K

Gambrills Home for Sale

Step into the timeless elegance of this custom, all-brick estate home set on a 1.11 acre, level, corner lot. At 5,400 sq. ft., the home boasts the finest materials, impeccable craftsmanship & classic style.

The property is extremely well-appointed with two master suites (five total bedrooms), a luxurious pool, multiple inside/outside entertaining areas and a gourmet kitchen.

The location in Gambrills' Saint Stephens Estates  is convenient yet serene, with no HOA restrictions.

Offered at $829,000.

Call Levi Royster (443-858-4094) or Jerry Kline (443-924-7418) with Keller Williams Flagship of Maryland for a private tour of this truly distinctive property.

MLS# AA9675927.

Gambrills homes for sale

Jerry Kline is a Realtor with the Odenton, Maryland, office of Keller Williams Flagship of Maryland (1216 Annapolis Rd., Odenton, MD 21113.) For more information on the local real estate market, contact him at (443) 924-7418.

For Rent in Piney Orchard - 830 Estuary Drive - $1,900/mo.

Piney Orchard homes

Enjoy all the great amenities Piney Orchard has to offer in this sparkling clean townhome. Located next to Piney Orchard Elementary School, it's freshly painted and has new flooring. The 1st floor has an open concept, with a kitchen, living room, dining area and half bath.

The 2nd floor has 2 large bedrooms, a full bath and a laundry room. The entire 3rd floor is a Master Suite, with a master bedroom, 2 closets (1 walk-in) and a master bath with soaking tub.

Outside, there's a fenced courtyard with storage shed. The rent is $1,900 per month. Pets considered on a case-by-case basis. Call me (443) -924-7418 for more information!

Congratulations Sherry -- You Are Under Contract in Bowie!

Bowie Homes for sale

I'd like to offer warm congratulations to my client, Sherry, for signing a contract to purchase her dream home! Your home search has been a lot of fun. On to settlement!

Under Contract - 8109 Beverly Road in Severn!

Homes for sale in Severn

Congratulations, Beth! Your cute rancher in Severn is now under contract!

Do YOU know someone looking to buy or sell a home in the greater Fort Meade, Maryland, area? Call me (443) 924-7418.

Piney Orchard Profile: Piney Station

Piney Orchard homes

Piney Station is One of the Largest of 41 Subcommunities Comprising the Odenton, Maryland, Community of Piney Orchard

With 218 homes, Piney Station is one of the largest communities in Piney Orchard -- and one of the most active in terms of real estate transactions.

Of the 218 homes in Piney Station, 37 have sold since the beginning of 2013 and 30 homes have rented. Eleven more homes in Piney Station were listed for sale or rent during that time, only to be subsequently pulled from the market after not finding a renter/buyer. Properties that go unsold or unrented illustrate the importance of pricing homes correctly once a decision has been made to sell or rent.

As shown in the tables below, Piney Station’s real estate activity has varied widely by street.

Piney Orchard homes

For instance, Black Oak Way (10) and Barred Owl Way (8) have led the community in sales the last three years, even though Deerberry Court has more homes. Barred Owl Way (9) and Meandering Way (7) have led the community in the number of rented homes. And Barred Owl way has had five homes fail to sell or rent (at least at their original list price), the most in the community.

It’s interesting that Deerberry Court has more homes than any other street yet ranked fourth out of 8 streets in terms of real estate activity (with 6 total transactions). Residents there seem to want to stay! From a real estate perspective, things have been more quiet on High Brandy Way, Piney Pass Way and Junco Court, although these results may be partially due to the fact there are fewer homes on those streets.

The good news is that, after being walloped by the real estate meltdown of 2008, the number of distressed property sales (short sales and foreclosures) in Piney Station has dropped dramatically over the last three years. In fact, only three of the 37 homes sold during that time were distressed properties.

A few other interesting notes about recent Piney Station real estate activity:

* the highest sale price fetched by a Piney Station home during the period was $399,999 for 2550 Junco Court in June 2014;

* the lowest price paid for a Piney Station home was $290,000 for 2519 Black Oak Way in July 2015;

* the highest amount of closing cost help (“subsidy”) paid by a Piney Station home seller was $11,600 for 2512 Black Oak Way in April 2014; and

* 8 of the 37 Piney Station owners who have sold their homes since the beginning of 2013 paid the buyers no closing cost assistance at all.

Jerry Kline is a Realtor with the Odenton, Maryland, office of Keller Williams Flagship of Maryland (1216 Annapolis Rd., Odenton, MD 21113.) For more information on the local real estate market, contact him at (443) 924-7418.

How Anne Arundel County Handles Complaints About Weeded & Overgrown Yards

Piney Orchard Homes

County Law States Property Owners May not Allow Weeds or Grass to Grow 12 Inches or Higher

So, we’re into June and that neighbor of yours still hasn’t cut his lawn this year. You’ve seen antelopes and snakes nesting on that lot and its killing your property value or -- worse yet -- your attempts to sell your home.

What can you do?

The Anne Arundel County government has a process for dealing with weeded brush and overgrown grass on private property. In fact, the county’s Department of Public Works receives and acts on more than 1,400 requests per year relating to the county’s Weeded Lot law.

Article 13, Title 6, of the Anne Arundel County Code states that a homeowner, occupant, or person in control of real property may not allow or maintain on their property a growth of weeds or grass that is 12 inches or higher. County residents can file complaints against owners who violate these provisions.

How the County Acts on Complaints

When the county receives a complaint, an inspector with the Department of Public Works will investigate the report to verify that the property’s condition violates the county code. If a violation is found, notification is sent to the property owner via a certified letter that the weeds or grass need to be cut.

If the property owner does not comply with the notice, a certified notice is posted on the property for a period of seven days. If the overgrown lot is not cut by the eighth day, a contractor hired by the county is sent to cut the overgrown property, and the property owner is billed for all charges, including overhead. According to the county, this entire process can take as long as three weeks.

If the property owner fails to pay the invoice for mowing, the county may place a tax lien on the property. Moreover, if the overgrown condition of the lot persists, the county can charge the property owner as much as $500 each time the owner fails to cut the property. This violation of the county code also carries civil penalties up to $1,000.

It is important to note, however, that there are certain exemptions to the county’s Weeded Lot law. Specifically, overgrown property does not violate the law if the property is:

- agricultural in nature;

- a natural wooded area; or

- publicly owned and preserved as a natural area, open space or for recreation.

How to Report a Weeded Lot

Anne Arundel County residents can report a weeded lot by contacting the Department of Public Works (DPW) at (410) 222-7582. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Residents also may make a report using the DPW internet contact form, which is available at http://www.aacounty.org/departments/public-works/contact-us/index.html. When using this form, residents should indicate their request as a “weeded lot” and include a physical address in the comment section.

Questions relating to the county’s Weeded Lot law also may be directed to the county’s Bureau of Highways Administration at (410) 222-7321.

Jerry Kline is a Realtor with the Odenton, Maryland, office of Keller Williams Flagship of Maryland (1216 Annapolis Rd., Odenton, MD 21113.) For more information on the local real estate market, contact him at (443) 924-7418.