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Old 07-28-2015, 04:44 PM
 
3,978 posts, read 4,575,824 times
Reputation: 2243

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Since I posted this in another Maryland forum with no response at all, I am posting it here to see if anyone will chime in.

I work in DC and I plan to buy a townhouse and I also plan to take the MARC train to DC. Looking at the sample properties below, I am wondering if I should choose Arbutus or Germantown.

Arbutus (and its immediate surrounding areas):

1) https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/...7/home/9384254

2) https://www.redfin.com/MD/Halethorpe.../home/26767252

3) https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/...9/home/9388374

Germantown:

1) https://www.redfin.com/MD/Germantown.../home/10814808

2) https://www.redfin.com/city/23193/MD...pe=6&market=dc


My questions are as follows:

1) Generally speaking, which is the better area?

2) Would my assumption be correct that the Arbutus’s commute is about 10 minutes closer?

3) Looking at the property tax, the ones in Arbutus seems a lot higher than Germantown. And, in Germantown (Montgomery County), if you live in the townhouse, you get about $700 off your property tax. Is there such a tax exemption in Arbutus as well?

4) Which area is more negatively affected by the continuing gentrification of DC?
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Old 07-29-2015, 06:15 AM
 
Location: Upper Marlboro
789 posts, read 1,095,900 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quaker15 View Post
My questions are as follows:

1) Generally speaking, which is the better area?

2) Would my assumption be correct that the Arbutus’s commute is about 10 minutes closer?

3) Looking at the property tax, the ones in Arbutus seems a lot higher than Germantown. And, in Germantown (Montgomery County), if you live in the townhouse, you get about $700 off your property tax. Is there such a tax exemption in Arbutus as well?

4) Which area is more negatively affected by the continuing gentrification of DC?
1. Most would agree that Germantown is a 'better' area. But only you can decide that for yourself. we don't know what your requirements are for 'better'.

2. Depending on how close you are to the Halethorpe MARC, Arbutus might be 20 or even 25 minutes closer.

3. Not sure. But you will probably get more for your money in Arbutus.

4. What?
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Old 07-29-2015, 08:30 AM
 
280 posts, read 674,869 times
Reputation: 231
Have you been to these places? Arbutus is a Baltimore suburb and is not impacted at all by anything that goes on around DC in the realm of gentrification. I also suggest taking into account your after-work and weekend activities in considering whether you would be better off in one place or the other.
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Old 07-29-2015, 04:40 PM
 
3,978 posts, read 4,575,824 times
Reputation: 2243
Does Arbutus has this $700 off property tax like it has for Montgomery County residents who live in the house themselves?
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Old 07-29-2015, 05:02 PM
 
3,978 posts, read 4,575,824 times
Reputation: 2243
How Are These Three Neighborhoods:

1) https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/...7/home/9378239

2) https://www.redfin.com/MD/Halethorpe.../home/26767252

3) https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/...7/home/9376781
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Old 08-01-2015, 11:48 AM
 
3,766 posts, read 4,102,538 times
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1) Generally speaking, which is the better area?

Depends on what you mean by better. Probably the most common indicator is the zoned school ratings.


2) Would my assumption be correct that the Arbutus’s commute is about 10 minutes closer?

The commute will vary with the MARC train schedules.


3) Looking at the property tax, the ones in Arbutus seems a lot higher than Germantown. And, in Germantown (Montgomery County), if you live in the townhouse, you get about $700 off your property tax. Is there such a tax exemption in Arbutus as well?

I certainly hope that you are not going to rely on people's advice on an internet forum as to what your real estate taxes will be. You are very wise to find out what the real estate taxes will be before you purchase, but you need to get the facts, not hearsay. Your buyer's real estate agent and the seller's agent should have this information, but considering how much information real estate agents have about property taxes, they are probably both clueless. I would go straight to the county tax offices and get the info. The Baltimore County information number is 410-887-0000. Ask for the real estate tax department. Or better yet, you may try the state agency that assesses Baltimore County properties 410-512-4900.


4) Which area is more negatively affected by the continuing gentrification of DC?

Probably Gaithersburg as it is officially in the DC metro area.
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