PG County Real Estate

Two new cameras are scheduled for installation in Bowie soon, and it’s not because this group of Prince Georges County citizens are so photogenic. Actually, these cameras are set up to measure speeds of passing vehicles that are over 12 mph above the speed limits. The cameras, one measuring northbound traffic speeds and one measuring southbound traffic speeds, will run between the hours of 6AM and 8PM on Monday through Friday. For the first 30 days anyone in violation of the speed limit will receive a warning. After the initial 30 day period is over, those violating the speed limit will be charged $40.

The new cameras were approved by the city council in October. This was shortly after a change was made to the state laws which expand the use of speed cameras in work and school zones. The city council also approved the installation of cameras at other school sites. Affiliated Computer Services, a Dallas based company that also supplies the cameras for Montgomery County, is supplying the cameras. The new cameras are expected to be a source of revenue for the county. Based on current estimates, the cameras will provide $25,000 before the end of June and as much as $120,000 in the next fiscal year.

The speed camera laws for the state contain a requirement that the photos are reviewed by a sworn police officer to ensure that the vehicles tag is clear, the violation that the vehicle is charged with is clear and that the tag matches the vehicle. The registered owner will then receive a violation in the mail from the police that includes a photo. If the owner was not driving the vehicle at the time of the citation, there is a form they can fill out to transfer responsibility to the person who was driving.

Citizens aren’t thrilled with this “candid camera” approach to law enforcement. In addition, there is some controversy on how well the speed cameras work and under whose jurisdiction the fines should be paid. Timothy Leahy, a Bowie resident, is suing Montgomery County because of errors that he feels were made in measuring his speed.  Unless he wins, this new court case will have no bearing on the installation of the cameras at Bowie or future speed camera sites. The county is trying to dismiss the lawsuit as soon as possible.

Looking for a home in Prince Georges County? Call Express Realty Services today at 888-306-9450 or visit our website for the best real estate in eastern Maryland, northern Virginia, or DC.

Brandywine, a city located in Prince Georges County, is a diverse city made up of century old houses and farms mixed in with new housing developments. This creates an environment where new citizens are moving into an area with many long-time residents. Brandywine has a long history, but the city also remains vibrant as new inhabitants and new developments come into the area.

Located in southeast Prince Georges County, Brandywine has 8,266 residents and 3,071 housing units located on 203,318,527 square meters. Because it is such a large area, Brandywine touches on both a suburban and a rural area, and matches this diversity with its mix of people from different backgrounds, all of them living together and getting along. Houses in Brandywine are equally diverse, varying from motor homes all the way to million dollar estates. This incredible mix continues as newly built subdivisions are placed beside older working farms.

One of the most recent developments is Chaddsford, a planned community that was built by K. Hovnanian Homes. Chaddsford was designed to maximize a natural setting. It covers over 200 acres, as well as offers easy access to shopping and major commuter routes. The design includes features such as a four acre lake and an undeveloped community green space to help show case the natural beauty of the area. Available activities in Brandywine include hunting, boating, hiking, and camping.

Chaddsford is made up of four different home communities. Two of these communities, The Crossing at Chaddsford and The Lakes at Chaddsford, are townhouses. The other two communities, The Greens and The Timbers at Chaddsford, are single family homes. Construction is still ongoing and there are two more neighborhoods with single family homes that are planned. The current development contains 382 townhouses and 191 single family homes. Because the Chaddsford development is composed of different types of housing, it creates a very diverse community overall.

Does this sound like a good match for your family? Express Realty Services can make it happen. Call us today at 888-306-9450 or visit our website for the best homes in Prince Georges County, as well as in D.C. and northern Virginia.

At Prince George’s intersection at Capitol Heights, the county planning board has approved a new development at the corner of Addison Road and Central Avenue. The project would include retail and office space, a public library, an indoor pool and an outdoor garage. The largest share would go towards 171 units of condos and apartments.

The County Council sees this project as a great way to bring in new jobs, not only in the construction phase, but also through the retail stores that will be built. There will be greater choices for shopping such as Starbucks and Panera Bread. The project is seen as a way to revitalize the community.

Mirza Baig, who is a general partner of Dawn Limited Partnership, said that the proposal must still go in front of the District Council in May. The partnership is hoping to start construction this summer and finish it by fall 2012.

As often happens in development projects, there are a few logistical issues to work out. The proposed land is directly across from the Addison Road-Seat Pleasant Metro Station and nearby to Seat Pleasant and Capitol Heights. Residents have expressed concerns regarding a wrought-iron fence that is to be placed in the project. One citizen, Douglas Edwards, instead suggested that the fence be placed in the middle of Central Avenue to prevent pedestrians from walking there. There are concerns as to whether that would limit pedestrian access too much.

Too few parking spaces are being planned according to Bradley Heard, a Capitol Heights resident who lives behind the possible project. Normally, county regulations require a minimum of 447 parking spaces. However, in this mixed-use project, the county approved it with only 372 spaces. The District Council wants fewer parking spaces as a method to entice commuters to take the train rather than drive and park their cars.

It seems that most residents welcome this new development. The Library will be closer. There is easy access to the metro train and more choices for retail shopping.

Express Realty Services can show you an affordable home in Capitol Heights. Just call us at 888-306-9450 or visit our website to chat with a representative about how to get started.

Fairmount Heights in Prince Georges County offers residents and new-comers alike a small-town feel, yet promises future change and development. As of the 2000 Census, only 1500 people lived in this small incorporated city, which encompasses 450 acres.

Like any small town, Fairmount Heights has the standard amenities—local restaurants, shops, beauty salon, and liquor store. There’s Fairmount Heights Park, which is home to a baseball park and basketball courts. No small town should be without its local library! Check out the city’s branch of Prince George’s County Memory Library. There are many churches as well as the local Elks chapter.

The town was first settled in the early 1900’s and has a well known historical district. An interesting fact is that it was the first planned black community, and a place for affordable homes in Prince George’s County. Famous historic residents include William Pittman and Portia Washington Pittman, daughter of Booker T Washington; James Armstrong, the first supervisor of African American schools in Prince George’s County; and Doswell Brooks, the first black supervisor of those same county schools.

Residents are highly involved within the community, especially in the Fairmount Heights Civic Association and in the Neighborhood Watch Association. Meanwhile, members of the Urban Development Committee meet on a regular basis to discuss revitalization of the community and upkeep of the historic district. They are hoping to develop property for a senior’s home and to have a main street within town.

If you want to be within driving distance of a big city, Washington D.C. is just outside of its borders. The city is located on major metro bus lines, making it easy to get around. In a fast-paced urban world, self-contained Fairmount Heights is a wonderful place to come home to.

So if you’re looking for a beautiful home in a community that cares for itself, look no further than Fairmount Heights.  Express Realty Services can show you an affordable home here and throughout the District of Columbia, northern Virginia, and eastern Maryland.  Just call us at 888-306-9450 or visit our website to chat with a representative about how to get started.

  … and it’s time to go home shopping!

If you’ve missed the $8000 tax credit advantage but still want to buy a new home, you’ve got one more reason to display those pearly whites!

The  Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) is a first-time home buyer grant funded by some of the local banks in each State. What this means is that if you haven’t owned a home in the past three years you could get up to $7,500 as a grant loan towards the down payment and/or closing for your house.

To qualify, your income must be less than 80% of the median home income on household size.

The FHLB grant is awarded on a 5 is to 1 ratio. So if you want to get the whole $7,500, you would have to put down $1,500 of your own towards the house. To participate in this program the minimum buyer contribution is $500. What’s more, it becomes a forgivable loan after five years – the $7,500 is yours to keep if you stay in that house for the next five years.

Thinking of buying a home in Prince Georges County? It’s a great area and we at Express Realty Services can help you find one with an FHLB loan that’s just perfect for you and your family. Visit our website or call us at 888-306-9450.

If you were buying a used car, you might take it to your mechanic for an inspection. If it came back with a recommendation that you buy new brakes, you could live with that. If it came back with a report of impending transmission problems, you might pay the mechanic and run like the wind - away from the deal.

When you buy a house, it is vital that you perform similar due diligence and order a home inspection!

Prevent Problems…

Though laws in most states favor buyers, when you find a major defect in your new house, it is time consuming and inconvenient to pursue actions with sellers after you have moved into your new home. Assuming the problem is not major enough to void the contract, you may be stuck with a home with a flaw you would not have accepted had you only known it existed.

A simple way to prevent most dilemmas like this is to request a house inspection as a contingency of your offer.  This may seem like a no-brainer for distressed properties, but it makes good sense with any home.

What’s Covered?

The inspection should cover what can be seen in major systems from roof to foundation. Separate inspections may be necessary for termites, septic systems, or other specialized things like spas or pools. It is not designed to critique aesthetics or lifestyle.

Ideally, when your home inspection takes place, you should be there, but the seller should not. The seller needs to provide access to all parts of the home and have the utilities on. The process might take several hours. If you are unable to be there for the whole inspection, try to come at the end so the inspector can walk you through the house and explain his findings before preparing his report.

What If…

When the inspector discloses his findings, you may have some decisions to make. How serious are the flaws he found? How much will it cost to fix them? What is the priority to fix them? If the problems are serious enough, you might not want to complete your purchase.

Depending on the findings, your real estate agent may be able to use them to help you negotiate on price. If the seller already mentioned a problem before the inspection and set the price based on that, it is unlikely he will further drop the price based on that. If the flaw is a minor one or one that a sequence of previous owners have lived with, the seller may give a little to sell the house in this buyer’s market, but your agent can guide you as to what is reasonable to expect.

Looking to buy a beautiful home with a clean history in Prince Georges County? Hoping to find the right agent to guide you through this home buying process? Contact Express Realty Services today for a great selection of pre-owned homes. Some are remodeled homes purchased by our sister company, Express Homebuyers.

You can reach us at 888-306-9450 or visit our website to chat with a representative about how to get started.