As condos go, this one is just about as good as it gets.

The size alone – nearly 2,000 square feet on 2 levels – puts this in a rare category for Annapolis area luxury condos. You’d be hard pressed to find anything this lovely and spacious for the money.

The unit has undergone a near top-to-bottom makeover, with fresh paint on most surfaces; a new kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel GE applicances and Shaw flooring; new wall-to-wall carpet on both levels; and so much more.

If you’re unfamiliar with Riva Trace, it’s one of the most sought-after communities in the area. Not only are the grounds painstakingly kept. It’s just 5 minutes to commuter routes, the new Annapolis Towne Centre, Giant plaza…about 6 minutes to the Annapolis Mall…and about 8 to downtown. It’s close to everything…but tucked nicely off the beaten path.

Have a look a the the photos. Then call us at 410-353-2469 if you’d like to take a look. Don’t wait. This one won’t be available for long.

Now, who in their their right mind would want to go house shopping during the holidays?

Answer: someone who really needs to find a home quickly, that’s who.

That’s why – when sellers ask – we encourage them to NOT un-list their home: yes, it may be a little inconvenient to show your home during a season full of parties, presents and good cheer. On the other hand, only serious buyers are out looking. The tire kickers are home roasting chestnuts and searching online.

Consider this, too: can you think of a time when your home looks more lovely than it does this time of year? Probably not. You’ve cleaned…strung the stockings…and otherwise made the place look spectacular. Buyers will melt.

Worried that you’ll have to pack up before the end of the year? Not likely, at this point. Negotiate an early January settlement if you must. And if you can’t, start packing: a good offer on your home is likely to be the best gift you’ll get this season.

1000 Boucher Ave

Listings are like your children: you get attached to them after a while. Here’s one we just sold, one I became quite attached to for a variety of reasons.

The seller, Linda, is a good friend and – not unlike some of my other good friends – a world class margarita maker. This was her childhood family home so it has a very rich and personal history she loves to share.

Too, this stretch of Boucher Ave feels like a second home because we’ve sold several other properties nearby. We’ll often get sign calls from people driving the neighborhood. The first thing they want to know is the price, which we never print on our flyer box flyers because prices adjust and it’s hard to have a life when all you’re doing is reprinting flyers and running them out to your listings.

Then they want to know how’s the neighborhood? (It looks, like much of Eastport, rather eclectic.) I tell them to knock on doors and ask around: everyone who lives here will tell you how much they love it.

Of course, we met the buyer at the settlement table this week. She’s adores the home and could not be happier…made the settlement feel like one big lovefest. (We tend to prefer that to shouting, knife throwing or table turning.)

Sorry that this one is gone. But if you’re looking for a home in the area, in Eastport or anywhere else in the greater Annapolis area, give me a call at 410-507-7222. We’ll help you find just what you’re looking for.

NOTE: To view this in a large screen format (so you can actually read the numbers) click on the icon – located between the “volume” icon and the word SCREENR – in the black frame below.

The Real Estate Market is Tough Right Now. Don’t Make It Any Tougher on Yourself

We get around. In a typical week, we – the members of The Moss Haedrich Team - probably show or preview 25 homes, talk to a dozen or more potential sellers and twice that many fellow Realtors.

When you’re in the trenches like we are, you see the local real estate market up close and personal. And you develop a keen instinct for which homes are going to sell…and which ones are going to just linger on the vine.

If you’re thinking about selling, here’s Ken talking about how NOT to become one of the lingerers.

There are lots of ways to shoot yourself in the foot if you’re trying to buy a home, in the Annapolis area or anywhere else for that matter. Quitting your job is one good way. There are others. Listen to what Ken has to say on the subject.

Here’s a Recap of How the Market Looks in One Bestgate Corridor Community

The previous story highlighted one local Annapolis couple and the recent sale of their home in the community of Seabreeze.

Click to see the latest market activity in Seabreeze as of Saturday, August 7th. This report includes all the active Seabreeze homes, those under contract and sold in the previous 90 days.

If you have any questions about real estate or market activity in the Bestgate Corridor, please email me at kenhaedrich@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you with the answers.

And if you own a home in the Bestgate area – or anywhere in the greater Annapolis area – and you’re thinking about selling, email or call me at 410-507-7222 and I’ll tell you what we’re doing in this market to get homes sold without delay. No pressure, just information. Thanks.

Meet The Hamels, Our Most Recent Satisfied Clients – Or So They Tell Us

One of the sad ironies of the real estate business is that you get to know some of the nicest people just before they move away for good.

Such is the case with Josh, Jillian and Luke Hamel, pictured here. (Luke is young fellow contemplating his father’s knee.)

If they look happy, well, they have much to be happy about: they have a lovely new child. They’re striking out on the next adventurous chapter of their lives. And their Seabreeze townhome sold in just 11 days.

A few minutes after this photo was taken, the Hamels hit the road for California where Josh – a Lieutenant Commander who just left active duty and a teaching job at the Naval Academy – has taken a position as a professor for the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department at Cal State Long Beach.

Jillian – a former Nurse Practitioner for the Division of Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore – says they’ll really miss the beautiful change of seasons here and the evening walks by the water in downtown Annapolis.

As for the unabashedly promotional plug to this story, the Hamels almost made us blush with their kind comments.

“We really enjoyed working with you” they told us. “You’re very knowledgeable about real estate in general and the Annapolis market specifically. You guided us smoothly through the process of selling our home. We were proud to have you represent us and would gladly recommend you to others.”

Thanks, Josh and Jillian – we appreciate that. And best of luck to you out West.

Proving That Buyers Really Are Out There…in Every Price Range

It was actually more like 57 days, but “sold in 60″ just rolls off the tongue.

In any event, 60 days-on-market for a $1.725 mil home isn’t bad in any market, let alone one as challenging as this.

We used all the tools in our big marketing toolbox to get this one sold quickly. That, along with the home’s inherent “wow factor” made the home irresistible. The home was designed by locally renowned architect Catherine Purple Cherry. The lot is gorgeous and professionally landscaped. The home lovely, neither too big nor too small.

Alas, if you missed this one there are plenty more gorgeous waterfront homes for sale in the Annapolis area and we’d be more than happy to help you find the perfect one for you. (Indeed, we have one just down the street at 1082 River Bay.) Email me at kenhaedrich@gmail.com and let me know what you’re looking for in a waterfront home. Or just call me at 410-507-7222. Ditto if you’re thinking of selling your home: we can get it done.

If you have a particular interest in River Bay Rd, here’s the latest market report for that lovely stretch of waterfront.

And if you’d like to see all Annapolis waterfront homes listed at $1.5 million and above, you’ll find those here as well.

That’s right: grab your checkbook and give us a call because this wonderful waterfront compound in Shoreham Beach is priced to sell quickly.

There’s still plenty of summer left – heck, it hasn’t even officially begun – to squeeze tons of fun out of this lovely property. Situated on a third of an acre, this home has it all – especially for boaters. The private pier and bulkhead have been extensively improved and there are three boat lifts. Cruise into Annapolis in about 10 minutes. Baltimore or St. Michaels in about an hour.

Currently, the home has more than 4,000 finished square feet. The bonus? A framed but unfinished suite of rooms over the garage that can be finished as you please. This wing of the home is the perfect place to let one generation raise a ruckus while another enjoys a little privacy.

The sunsets? They’re just fabulous here. Indeed, if you’d like to preview the home you may want to schedule an evening showing so you can see it for yourself. We’d be happy to make the arrangements.

Footnote: There are 10 waterfront homes for sale in Edgewater with a 3+ car garage. The next least expensive home is priced $600,000 more than this one.

If you have any questions at all about this property, call me – Ken – at 410-507-7222. Or send me an email at kenhaedrich@gmail.com

Have a great weekend.