Parkville Real Estate Agent

New Baltimore County Recycling Begins February 1, 2010

On December 10, 2009, I announced the new Baltimore County Single Stream Recycling being implemented on February 1, 2010.

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!

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!

Erickson Communities Bought by Hanover Based Redwood Capital Investments LLC

On Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 after an 18 hour auction, Erickson Communities chose Maryland based Redwood Capital Investments LLC to pull itself out of bankruptcy, of which it filed for Chapter 11 protection in October.

Redwood successfully outbid a New York company, Kohlberg, Kravis Roberts & Co. to get Erickson’s assets, including the non-profit groups Erickson operates.

Erickson says that the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing nor its sale will affect its residents such as those in Erickson’s Oak Crest Community in Parkville and Charlestown Community located in Catonsville, both in Baltimore County. Refundable deposits and living arrangements will remain the same for those currently living in those communities.

It is a great thing that Erickson is able to keep this sale within Maryland, as our state has had a recent number of large companies being bought or headquarters moved out of state, like Towson based Black & Decker ’s buy out by Stanley Works in Connecticut.

Erickson began to have trouble when the real estate market began to drop after 2005’s boom. The large refundable deposits new residents put down (up to around $400,000) were usually paid from proceeds of the new resident’s sale of their prior home. With homes not selling for the amount needed for the downpayment, less people were moving into the retirement communities.

Fore more details on the Erickson Communities sale, read Baltimore Sun reporter Jamie Hopkins Smith’s article.

This is great news for Erickson Communities, their residents in Parkville’s Oak Crest and Catonsville’s Charlestown, Redwood Capital, and especially the State of Maryland!

Loch Raven Village and Knettishall in Towson Gems in Baltimore Sun Article

A few month back, I received a phone call from Jamie Smith Hopkins of the Baltimore Sun because she knew I know Towson real estate very well, and had sold homes in Loch Raven Village and Knettishall.

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!

Cromwell Valley Park in Beautiful Baltimore County is All About the Birds on Saturday, November 7, 2009

Cromwell Valley Park, located off Cromwell Bridge Road in Parkville, MD, offers serene views as well as fun activities! Tucked away on a windy road, it is a hidden treasure in Baltimore County.

This Saturday it is all about the birds! From 7-10 am, visit Willow Grove Farm and go on a birdwalk led by volunteers. No reservations required!

Then, from 10-11:30 am it is “The Great Migration Challenge” where kids aged 5-12 can join in on the “migration maze” — find out just how hard it is for birds to do this every year, and experience some of the challenges they face! The Challenge culminates in a visit to the “Hawk Watch Site”. Cost is $2 for members, $4 for non-members. Reservations are required, so make sure to call 410-887-2503 to secure your spot!

Cromwell Valley Park is located at 2175 Cromwell Bridge Road, Baltimore, MD 21234. The hours are from sunrise to sunset every day of the week.

Weber’s Farm in Baltimore County’s Parkville Offers Barnyard Activities Fun for All Ages

Fall ushers in a great time at Weber’s Farm off Proctor Lane in Parkville, MD.

Open every day of the week until November 1 from 9:30-dusk (9 am weekends) — there is plenty of time to enjoy all of the activities in the Barnyard!

For $5 weekdays and $7 weekends, you can enjoy the straw maze, the story-telling path to the the tall hill slide (be ready for a fast ride!), petting zoo, plus hay rides for pumpkin picking.

They also offer a Scarecrow Building workshop from 4-6 pm weekdays and 10-6 weekends for only $15.

On weekends through the 1st, there is food for sale by the Providence Volunteer Fire Department from 11-4.

Open year round, Weber’s has much to offer for anyone. From pies to turkeys, fresh produce to cider and old time gifts, you can’t miss!

Located at 2526 Proctor Lane in Parkville, it is convenient to Towson, 695, Cromwell Bridge Road and Harford Road.