Columbia/Clarksville/Ellicott City/Elkridge Where to live? (Baltimore, Severn: real estate, apartment)

[scubagirl007]

We have been living in an apartment for nearly one year in Columbia Maryland. I really Columbia, but I also think Clarksville, Elkridge, and Ellicott City are nice too. My husband commutes to work in Baltimore, so we want to stay an easy commuting distance to Baltimore. Our price range is $400k-500k. I would like a single family home with garage and a little yard space.

I am going to meet with a real estate agent this week and I want some advice before I meet with them late this week.

1. Are their other areas I should consider living that have all of the shopping/eating/safety of Columbia that are still 30 min commute to Baltimore (like Severn or Severna park or Odenten)?

2. What are the nicest communities "villages" to consider inside columbia.

3. Clarksville looks nice, and more expensive than columbia from first glance of their new construction. What are their schools like?

4. I am not a big fan of Homeowner's associations - At our last house I mowed our lawn weekly and kept nice flower gardens - I did not like paying getting a permit to re-paint my mailbox post and other such nonsense. Is this what Columbia Association will be like (I am confused by it).

5. Are their some neighborhoods or areas that people can tell me about that have some "elbow room" I am willing to take a smaller house for larger lot. I did not like that our previous house was one lawn mower width away from the next house (it was too close). I would like a nice large berth, maybe 20-30 yards length between me and my neighbors if possible.

6. I have notice things mold around here easily. Is black mold a problem in the older houses? Do people have de-humidifiers in their houses? (The apartment we live in - they have been in to treat for mold 3 times already - it grows on the walls- it is gross- I have never seen anything like it- I think it comes from poor ventillation in the bathrooms/showers)

7. Is there a big difference in crime between these cities? I have felt safe pretty much everywhere around here since I moved here. Except for Downtown Baltimore (sorry I do not mean to offend those in Baltimore)

8. The depth of the snow seemed reasonable this year. Was this a typical year around here?

9. Are there areas prone to flooding that I should avoid?

10. Which community do you think will have the best resale value? We will probably only be here 3-5 years.

11. Any other helpful advice from more seasoned home buyers?

Thank you for any response!!

[TuborgP]

Ask your realtor about selling price 5 years ago with selling price today. The neighborhoods with the biggest drops are the ones to avoid. Try to project the neighborhood and schools five years out and do you thing what you see will enhance or curb appreciation. The answers are there make sure you have a good realtor to help you.

[tonyc]

Have you looked in West Friendship Heights?