Development at Pot Spring and Old Bosley Rd in Timonium

The development of the acreage at the corner of Pot Spring Road and Old Bosley Rd in Cockeysville near Timonium had its’ plans halted on Thursday, as new Councilman Todd Huff postponed his consideration of the development.

The land is currently zoned for 13 homes, but the developer, Jeffrey C. Kirby, wants to build 33 attached homes for a 55+ community. Over 200 residents came out, many to oppose the resolution last Monday at a meeting, and the work session was scheduled for tomorrow, February 1, 2011. The Baltimore Sun reported in an article on the development’s postponement. This was just one step of many that would have to be approved before the project were to be able to continue.

The lot’s location is the wooded area behind the Lake Apartments on the left side of Pot Spring, south side of Old Bosley Road.

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The proposal is in limbo right now, but not withdrawn or canceled.

Many of the neighbors are concerned with the change in the current zoning, and the traffic issues that could be caused by an additional 20 homes than zoning currently allows for the land. To the west of the proposed development is an already highly developed area of Cockeysville homes.

I will stay tuned as the changes in development continue!

Snow Day and Sledding in Towson

Yesterday late afternoon and last night was a major thundersnow storm, with heavy snow, lightning and thunder. It was an incredible event. The snow was coming down so heavily that a large number of people had to abandon their cars on the way home, and others took about 9 hours to commute. Even snowplows got stuck!

We lost many tree limbs, and there are a number hanging precariously on other branches. We have about a foot of heavy snow on the ground and in the trees! Many lost power. We were lucky because ours flickered a number of times, but remained on.

The fun part was the sledding yesterday and today at the Baltimore County Board of Education on Charles Street in Towson.

Lots of people came out to enjoy the HUGE hill. It is the best place to sled in Towson!

There is a possibility of snow up to an inch tomorrow and another dusting Saturday.

Hopefully we won’t have the Snowpocalypse(s) like we did last year. Here’s hoping for warmer weather soon!

What Mortgage Interest Deduction Means For You

There is a big issue affecting many homeowners in discussions in Congress right now, and whether you personally take the Mortgage Interest Deduction or not, this could  be a big deal for your house value.

Why? Many Americans do take the mortgage interest deduction on their federal taxes each year. If you bought a house and put less than 20% downpayment, then it is likely you pay this insurance/interest.

Should the deduction be removed, it could affect many Americans — and NOT just those who take the deduction.

Often times, when homebuyers consider whether a house is truly affordable, they consider how a reduction in taxes may help. Property taxes, improvements, and for many, mortgage insurance. Even if you do not take this deduction, the removal of the deduction could possibly hurt your property value. How?

Let’s use the example of Mr. & Mrs. Homebuyer, would have gotten a tax reduction of $250/month from their mortgage interest. That $3,000/year could mean a certain house they’ve had their eye on is definitely affordable, knowing that $250 of their monthly payment would end up coming back to them when they file their taxes.

If that deduction goes away, that same house is possibly $250/month too high out of their price range. SO, the house may not be worth that higher price that it may have been when the tax deduction was still in place. A CNNMoney.com article quotes the National Association of REALTORS(R) President, Ron Phipps, as saying house values could drop as much as 15%.
NAR states in their video about the mortgage interest deduction that:

The vast majority of households that take the deduction are middle-income families, earning either less than $100,000 a year or between $100,000 and $200,000 a year (the typical cut-off point between wealthy and non-wealthy households).

If you see the possible detriment to your house value, then the best way to fight this is to contact your local congressional representative.

Here is the link to contact your Baltimore County Council.

For the Baltimore City Council, you can find your district, then contact your local Baltimore City council member.

The reason to help fight to keep the mortgage interest deduction in place is to hopefully retain your house’s value. In this distressed market as it is, this could make house values drop even more!

Do You Write Off Mortgage Insurance? You Can’t File 2010 Taxes Yet.

Not only is the mortgage insurance deduction in homeowners’ taxes creating an issue in Congress as the government struggles to balance the budget, if you are one of the many homeowners who DO take this deduction, you cannot file your 2010 taxes yet.

This is due to tax laws that were enacted at the end of 2010, so the IRS is not prepared for those changes yet. The IRS expects to have the ability to process those returns beginning sometime mid-to-late February, according to accountingtoday.com.

Also, according to the IRS website, Federal taxes also aren’t actually due until April 18, 2011 because the Federal Government is closed for Emancipation Day on April 15, 2011. MARYLAND STATE TAX RETURNS ARE STILL DUE BY APRIL 15, 2011, according to the Comptroller of Maryland’s site.

What does this mean for Towson Homeowners who file for the mortgage insurance deduction or have charitable contribution reductions? You must wait until Mid-to-late February for the IRS to get their system up & running to process these correctly.

West Towson Pool Delayed Until 2012

The West Towson Pool, called the “Towson Swim Club,” slated to open Memorial Day 2011, has pushed back its’ opening to 2012.

There were multiple obstacles causing the delay, including the Baltimore County planning and zoning, and the ravine that currently provides privacy to the Southland Hills neighborhood. The pool group wanted to build playing fields, while neighbors wanted to keep their privacy area.

Other obstacles included needing 200 more members to help fund the construction. The initial charter fee is $1,975. If members join prior to the pool’s construction, that charter membership can possibly be transferred when you sell your West Towson home.

The next obstacle for the Towson Swim Club is to obtain financing, which the club volunteer group says there are some interested banks.

The Towson Swim Club, along with the office space being built is breathing new life into the Old Towson Jail, revitalizing that corner of Bosley and Towsontown Blvd.

There are many memberships still available, if you want to join in advance. There will only be 400 memberships in total. More details and fees can be found on their site here.

Membership to the Towson Swim Club is not limited to Towson residents, so if you are interested but don’t live in the area, you may still join!

Baltimore Restaurant Week Jan 21-30, 2011

Baltimore Restaurant Week for Winter 2011 begins Friday, January 21, and runs through January 30.

Participating restaurants have committed to helping “The Journey Home” , a program trying to end Homelessness in Baltimore. There will be donation boxes at each of the restaurants to give to the charity.

Many parking garages are offering discounted parking during Baltimore Restaurant Week as well.

Reservations are very highly recommended, as the popular restaurants and the prix-fix menus bring many out to enjoy!

Last year’s Baltimore Restaurant Week was extended because of the two back-to-back snowstorms that prevented many from getting out. Hopefully we won’t have that issue this year!

To see the full list of participating restaurants, and whether they have both lunch & dinner specials, or just dinner, visit baltimorerestaurantweek.com . Make sure to make those reservations!

11513 Hunters Run Drive – Hunt Valley Station

11513 Hunters Run Drive is a four bedroom single family home in Hunters Run. *SOLD 8/15/11*

11513 Hunters Run Dr is a Faust-built Hunt Valley Station home with, according to the public record, 2,782 sq ft on the first two levels. It is listed for sale for $530,000.

The walk-out lower level has been finished with a fifth bedroom, full bath, and kitchenette.

This Hunters Run home has a fenced backyard, which is very unusual for the neighborhood. It has a nice, large deck off the kitchen as well with steps down to the fenced backyard.

Currently there are three other Hunt Valley Station single family homes for sale, one at 1210 Maple Leaf Court, listed for $505,000, another at 1110 Walnut Wood Drive for $619,900 (now under contract), and the third at 11615 Silver Maple Ct for $535,000.

Contact me for more information on 11513 Hunters Run Drive and other Hunt Valley Station homes. I know the neighborhood very well!

Listing Courtesy of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

8 Wineleaf Ct – Hunters Run

8 Wineleaf Ct is a four bedroom single family home in Hunters Run. **UPDATE: SOLD 4/29/11**

8 Winleaf Court is a Ryland built Colonial in Hunt Valley Station, and is on the market for $555,000. According to the public records, it has 2,962 square feet on the first two levels. The walk-out lower level is finished with a full bath and partial kitchen!

Located on a cul de sac, there are only 8 houses on the street. I actually co-listed and sold their neighbor’s house in 2005!

Currently, there are two other Hunt Valley Station single family homes for sale at 11513 Hunters Run Drive, on the market for $550,000, and 1110 Walnut Wood Drive for $639,900. Multiple homes in Hunters Run have sold in the past year, and a competitive market analysis can be run to show true value. The styles & builders vary, so there are many details that go into figuring value on these homes.

Contact me for more information on 8 Wineleaf Ct and Hunters Run homes. I know the community well!

Home Listing courtesy of D&D Real Estate and Development

Purple Friday – Purple Week Day 5 – Ravens Playoffs

Today, January 14, 2011 is Purple Friday in Baltimore and it is the culmination of Purple Week for a number of my friends through twitter.

My hope & wish is to exhaust my purple clothes because I have to wear them every day for the next three weeks before the Superbowl!

So, GO RAVENS!

Purple Week Day 1

Purple Week Day 2

Purple Week Day 3

Purple Week Day 4

1 Winthrop Ct – Towson Townhouse
Towson, Maryland – Offered at $239,900.
Withdrawn from the market – seller is staying!

• Download the Brochure (PDF)
• Schedule an Appointment
• Ask a Question
• View Virtual Tour

Explore this wonderful Towson home for sale at $239,900…

• First Floor
• Second Floor
• Finished Basement
• Exterior
• Neighborhood

(Click on Any Picture to Enlarge)

Towson Park Townhouse in Towson, Maryland

This end-of-group townhouse, built in 1955, is located in the Towson Park community of In Towson, Maryland in Baltimore County.

Stainless appliances in the kitchen, gleaming hardwood floors in the living room, dining room and upstairs, this home is very well maintained!

Located off a one-way street on a court with an alley behind, there isn’t much traffic coming through unless people live on your street or behind you.

First Floor

Second Floor

Lower Level

Neighborhood: Towson Real Estate in Baltimore County

The Towson Park community is located in Towson off Fairmount Avenue and Bosley Road in the 21204 zip code. Much of the 21204 zip code has older homes such as this one, in neighborhoods of West Towson, Ruxton, Loch Raven Village, Loch Raven Manor, and Knettishall.

Very nearby is the recently redone & expanded Towson Town Center, as well as new apartments, and the new Towson Safeway.

The Towson Park community has a newly formed voluntary Homeowner’s Association (HOA), which in 2010 included a dumpster day.

Towson is home to many very happy residents. Become one of them!

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