Well, here we are in late January, and it is coming very soon!

Here are the details — it’s SO easy — now everyone in Baltimore County can recycle without having to think too much about it!

From the Baltimore County Recycling Site: http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/publicworks/recycling/singlestream/curbsideinformation.html

What’s new & easy?

• It all goes into the same container! LIDS, CAPS, LABELS & RINGS are accepted now. No throwing the cap of the milk jug or soda bottle away anymore.
• Juice cartons, aluminium pans, AEROSOL cans, frozen food boxes — ALL NOW ACCEPTED!

The changes you need to make:

• NO MORE PLASTIC BAGS. They will not be accepting plastics/glass/etc in grocery bags anymore. (So now is the time to start using those reusable bags you may have for your groceries!)
• You can put your recyclables in small cardboard boxes, in 34 gallon or less recycling containers, or 34 gallon or less trash containers marked with an “X” or “RECYCLE”.

Click here for the Baltimore County Single Stream Recycling website for all of the details.

I am thrilled that Baltimore County is implementing this new recycling system as the ease should help more residents to be involved in the program! Join in!

Jamie was putting together a series of articles called “Hidden Gems” about areas in Baltimore County and City that were in high demand areas — but not high demand prices.

Part of the criteria was that the median sales price had to be under the “affordable housing” line of $250,000. The buyer’s market of today has put Loch Raven Village and Knettishall in that range.

I was quoted a few times in the article, (thank you Jamie!), and I think she got a great feel for the neighborhood from a few different perspectives. Please read Jamie Smith Hopkins’ Baltimore Sun article about this Hidden Gem of an area!

There are many things that I love about Loch Raven Village and Knettishall. The homes are brick, well built, and generally beautiful. The streets are lined with trees and are so inviting. Its location in Towson and Parkville is convenient for both driving and public transportation. Shops are close by — the newly refurbished Towson Place, the nearby redone Towson Town Center, the Loch Raven Boulevard shops…it is all right there.

I recently sold one in the neighborhood on Aberdeen Road on the eastern side of Loch Raven Boulevard in Parkville. I know the neighborhood well. If you have any questions or would like to sell your Loch Raven Village home or buy one and take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit or $6,500 tax credit, please contact me today. I would love to help!

What does this mean for its employees and the surrounding Towson community?

Stanley, based in Connecticut, states that the B&D Power Tools division, which has 1,250 employees, will remain fairly the same. The B&D headquarters, however, will no longer be employing most of its’ 250 workers.

The companies state in its SEC filings that less than 10% of each company will lose their jobs. That would be a total of 3,800 losses.

So what could this mean for Towson House Values? Well, it could have a negative impact, if there are a large group of people who will either be 1) Unable to continue making mortgage payments and need to sell in a short sale situation, or 2) Be relocated to Stanley’s corporate headquarters in New Britain, Connecticut.

As the merger/acquisition unfolds, I will be sure to keep track of the Towson real estate market trends and update accordingly. I am hoping the impact is not as great as I imagine it may be.

• Download the Brochure (PDF)
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Explore this adorable Loch Raven Village home for sale at $219,900…

• First Floor
• Second Floor
• Finished Basement
• Neighborhood

(Click on Any Picture to Enlarge)

Beautiful Loch Raven Village Townhouse

This Baltimore County townhome is located in the convenient community of Loch Raven Village, off of Loch Raven Boulevard in Parkville, Maryland (just east of Towson).

An entrance foyer leads to the great living room with an unusual and neat working Gas Fireplace and built-in bookshelves!

Pottery Barn colors create an inviting atmosphere throughout the home. Hardwood Floors shine throughout, and this beautiful home has a tremendous amount of updates and upgrades!

First Floor

FOYER/VESTIBULE

• Hardwood Floor
• Coat Closet
• French Door to Living Room

LIVING ROOM 17×14

• Hardwood Floor
• Brick Gas Fireplace
• Built-in Bookshelves
• Hallway to Door to Lower Level
• Stairs to Second Floor

DINING ROOM 13×11

• Hardwood Floor
• Chair Rail
• Chandelier

KITCHEN 13×7

• Ceiling Fan with Light
• Kenmore Gas Range
• Roper Refrigerator
• KitchenAid Dishwasher
• Stainless Sink
• White Tile Backsplash
• Redone Cabinets and Hardware
• Pantry Cabinets
• Door to Rear Deck

REAR DECK & YARD

• Wood Deck
• Steps to Patio
• Wood Chips for Low Maintenance
• Large Shade Tree
• Fenced

Second Floor

MASTER BEDROOM 15×12

• Hardwood Floor
• Ceiling Fan with Light
• Two Closets

FULL BATH

• Pedestal Sink
• Tub

HALLWAY

• Hardwood Floor
• Pull Down Steps to Attic

SECOND BEDROOM 13×10

• Hardwood Floor
• Ceiling Fan with Lights
• Two Closets

THIRD BEDROOM 9×9

• Hardwood Floor
• Ceiling Fan with Light
• Single Closet

Lower Level: Clubroom

CLUBROOM 19×15

• Tile Floor
• Extra Refrigerator

FULL BATH

• Shower Stall
• Pedestal Sink

STORAGE/UTILITY ROOM

• Kenmore Washer
• Kenmore Dryer
• Door to Rear Stairway Exit

Neighborhood: Loch Raven Village Real Estate

Loch Raven Village is a townhouse community built in the late 1940′s and early 1950′s. It runs along Loch Raven Boulevard in both the Towson and Parkville. Quick access to 695 makes this a great location!

The nearby Towson Place (formerly known as Towson Marketplace), offers a myriad of shopping from the newly remodeled Target, Walmart, Babies R Us and Superfresh, to Marshalls, Bed Bath & Beyond, Michael’s and The Avenue. Food selections run from burger chain Red Robin, to the ever popular Panera Bread.

The elementary school serving the community is Pleasant Plains, which also offers a great playground for off hours. The private school Calvert Hall College is located right on the cusp of Loch Raven Village, across from Towson Place.

For a convenient neighborhood with tremendous amenities, all at a very affordable price, Loch Raven Village is a wonderful place to call home!

Since kids are back in school, that usually brings a boost to the Towson Real Estate market, and this year appears to be no different. I have appointments every evening this week as the cool crisp air brings a new sense of urgency to get into the home of your dreams as you get ready to hunker down indoors for the cold weather months!

The $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit is also a catalyst, because buyers really should get a home under contract by September 25 in order to ensure closing happens before November 30, 2009. This affects home sellers too, because if their home is in a Towson neighborhood like Loch Raven Village, where first time homebuyers are flocking, they need to get their homes on the market now so they can move soon and their buyers can take advantage of this credit.

Contact me today to take advantage of this first time homebuyer market, whether you are a buyer or a seller. Everyone wins!

Towson First Time Homebuyers should be, that’s who!

If you want to take advantage of the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, you must get MOVING NOW!

It can take some time to find a house. If we start looking tomorrow, it could take you 30 days to find the perfect place, couldn’t it? Today is August 24. 30 days brings us to September 24. If you are using an FHA mortgage, banks are stating 45-60 days to ensure issues that may arise are covered/taken care of. That brings you to yes, November 24th. What is November 24th? The Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Think of all of the First Time Homebuyers across the US trying to take advantage of this credit. All under the same guidelines, deadlines, etc. How well do you think a closing may go on November 24th????

Keep in mind, if you settle December 1, you will NOT receive the tax credit benefit, even if the delayed closing is NOT YOUR FAULT. You would still not be eligible.

So what does this mean?

Contact me today to GET MOVING and get $8,000 back from the government on your taxes next year. WHAT A GIFT!

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Here is a great chart by Chik Quintans of Blue Sky Mortgage Strategies in Seattle, Washington showing just how little time is left!