First-Time HomeOwner Tax Credit Window is Closing

If you or someone you know in the neighborhood is thinking of making a move, now is the time! The first-time home owner tax credit window will be closed as of April 30--meaning you must have a binding contract by that date for the buyer to qualify for the $8,000 tax credit. This neighborhood is a perfect opportunity for first time homebuyers. And as of today we have 14 homes under contract, 8 of which were sold in less than a month. Buyers are out there looking for homes in Rodgers Forge. Don't miss it! And--when you buy your next home, YOU will qualify for a $6500 tax credit as long as you have signed a contract for your next home by April 30! This is a fantastic opportunity to get a break on your real estate selling costs which we don't often see in Maryland. Contact me if you have questions about the tax credit. Here is a link with more information. http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/glance.php

February Housing Update

As of February 12 in The Forge:
FOR SALE: 17 homes, $250Kto $463K;
--1 home is 5 bdrms/2 bath
--1 home is 3bdrm/2 bath/2 1/2 bath(Rodgers Choice)
--5 homes are 3bdrm/2 baths
--10 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath
UNDER CONTRACT: 12 homes;
--6 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath, $239K--$325K
--2 homes are 3bdrm/2 bath, $279.5K, $299.9K
--1 home is a 3bdrm/2 bath/2 1/2bath, $389K(Rodgers Choice)
--1 home is a 4bdrm/2bath, $339K
--1 home is a 4bdrm/1 bath,$327K
--1 home is a 5bdrm/2 bath, $344K(inside group)
SOLD: 3 homes (Since January 1)
--2 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath; actual sold prices: $295K, $305K (EOG),
--1 home is 3bdrm/2 bath/2 1/2bath; actual sold price: $325K

average days to put a house under contract: 62

Red-Shouldered Hawk Spotted in my Own Yard!

According to neighbors in the know, this is a red-shouldered hawk. There are quite a few on the Sheppard Pratt property and with all the construction over there, we are seeing more of them in the neighborhd. This is a young one--they begin nesting in February. A blue jay was taunting him. It was quite a sight. Beautiful!

Heavy Snow Can Bring Down Gutters

Some neighbors were already removing snow from porch roofs hoping to save their gutters.

Neighbors were pitching in to shovel out

Late in the afternoon along Dunkirk Road neighbors were digging out as the last snowflake fell and the sun started to peek out. Many shovels make lighter work!

Keep Property Values High--Keep our Kids Walking to School

Many neighbors attended the first open meeting about school redistricting last week at Loch Raven High School. No public comment was allowed, but we did break down into small groups and were able to give our individual as well as collective opinion on which boundary option out of 4 possible options we preferred. Option G was the one that keeps most of the Rodgers Forge neighborhood attending RFES and thus keeps our kids walking to school. Option G would render RFES at 93.18% capacity. However, many residents were agreeing that even if the school is at capacity it is acceptable if it keeps the neighborhood in tact. It is being at 150-200% over capacitiy that is unacceptable. So even if Option G were broader and covered a little more ground such as Gaywood, Rodgers Choice and the Rodgers Forge Apartments, many residents felt that the school could absorb it. Some of the other boundary options cut up the Rodgers Forge neighborhood in ways that made many residents who attended the meeting question a process that would have led to such options--especially the one that cut Rodgers Forge at the Blenheim Road boundary where chunks of Dunkirk and Murdock Roads would be separated from the rest of the neighborhood.

Mark Your Calendars! Residents are strongly encourages to attend the next meeting on January 20 at 7PM at Dumbarton Middle School. At this meeting the Boundary Committee for BCPS will review the tabulated results from the meeting that we attended last week. Committee members will make their recommendation to the School Board before its February 9 meeting. Both sessions are open to the public. A public hearing on the preferred option is scheduled for February 24, 7pm at Loch Raven High School. The Board is expected to vote on the boundary issue at their March 9 meeting. Today's Baltimore Sun has an article on the issue - http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.co.boundary10jan10,0,4661392.story

Happy New Year! January 2010 Housing Update

As of January 4 in The Forge:
FOR SALE: 19 homes, $250Kto $349.9K;
--1 home is 4 bdrms/1 bath
--3 homes are 3bdrm/2 baths
--15 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath

UNDER CONTRACT: 6 homes; 2 homes in Rodgers Choice
--1 home is a 4bdrm/2 bath, $339K
--1 home is a 3bdrm/2bath, $298K
--2 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath,$304.9K and $307K
--2 homes (Rodgers Choice) are 3bdrm/2 bath, $324.9( pot. short sale) and $389K


SOLD: since December 1: 6 homes
--2 homes are 3bdrm/1 bath; actual sold prices: $200K, $307K (EOG), $334.9K(EOG)
--3 homes are 3bdrm/2 bath; actual sold prices: $295K, $298K (EOG), $349.9K (EOG)
--1 home is a 4bdrm/2 bath; actual sold price: $325K

Average Days to put a house under contract: 44days
(Based on days on market of the homes currently under contract.)