Historic Annapolis is a great place to celebrate the Fourth of July.  Here are some FUN, FREE events happening around Annapolis this weekend.

Summer at City Dock hosts musicians, comedians and more.  Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4, noon to 6 PM, Annapolis City Dock, FREE.   Saturday’s performances kick off with “Mutts Gone Nuts”, a comedy dog thrill show. Then the Motorettes take over, bringing the smooth sounds of Motown music to Annapolis. Sunday’s performances include Mike Rosman, a comedy and juggling act, Jordan Page, American Folk and Rock Music Singer/Songwriter, the First Capital Drumline from York, Pennsylvania, then finish with the Annapolis Drum and Bugle Corp as a prelude to the 4th of July parade. Crystalooney’s artists will be onsite to offer their face painting, henna and glitter tattoo creations to interested audience members. J.C. Johns will once again create his unique balloon hats for the crowd.

Fourth of July Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony, Sunday, July 4, 9 am – 2 pm, William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George Street, FREE, includes a naturalization ceremony for about 40 new citizens, tours of the colonial home, children’s patriotic craft-making, proclamations of the Declaration of Independence, encounters with costumed colonial re-enactors, demonstrations of Revolutionary War camp life, and musical performances by noted hammered dulcimer artist Maggie Sansone.

First Sunday Arts Festival, Sunday, July 4, 11 AM to 5 PM, West and Calvert Streets, FREE, featuring 100 local and regional artisans, live music, magic show, swing dancing (with free dance lessons), street performers and outdoor cafes. Bring the whole family. Friendly pets welcome.

Annapolis July 4th Parade, Sunday July 4, 6:30 pm, FREE

U.S. Naval Academy Band performance, Sunday, July 4,  8 p.m. at Susan C. Campbell
Park at City Dock, FREE

Annapolis Fireworks, around 9 pm, Annapolis Harbor, FREE

Here are further details, direct from a city press release:

Mayor Invites Residents, Visitors to City’s Independence Day
Festivities
Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Sunday; concert and fireworks to follow

Annapolis, Md. (07-02-10) – Mayor Joshua J. Cohen invites residents and
visitors to attend the City’s Independence Day festivities on Sunday,
July 4, which will include a parade, a concert by the U.S. Naval Academy
Band and a $20,000 fireworks display.

An estimated crowd of 50,000 or more is expected to descend on the
city, and, to that end, Mayor Cohen advises visitors to come early, park
at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and take the free City shuttle
into downtown for the festivities. The stadium lot opens at 3 p.m., and
there is a $5 charge for parking.

Road closures will go into effect at 4:30 p.m. and last until 10:30
p.m., primarily for downtown and Eastport. Vehicular traffic will be
denied access to downtown from 5 to 10:30 p.m. At 9 p.m., the Spa Creek
Bridge that connects downtown and Eastport will be closed to car
traffic, creating a spectator pier with an unobstructed view of the
fireworks.

No-parking zones will be posted to accommodate emergency vehicle to
facilitate safe, timely egress for spectators from the Eastport
Peninsula after the event.  Violators will be towed.

A full list of road closures and no-parking zones are listed on the
City’s website, www.annapolis.gov, or go to http://bit.ly/aT8syL

The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. sharp with a parade that will proceed
into downtown, beginning on Amos Garrett Boulevard and then right on
West Street, around Church Circle, down Main Street, left on Randall
Street and disbanding near the Market House.

The U.S. Naval Academy Band will perform at 8 p.m. at Susan C. Campbell
Park at City Dock.

The fireworks are scheduled to go off at about 9:15 p.m. The display
will be launched from a barge in the Annapolis Harbor. Boat restrictions
are in place. Because of the anticipated crowded conditions, boaters are
urged to select their preferred viewing-area anchorage early and are
also warned to avoid the 1,000-foot SAFETY ZONE around the fireworks
barge. Contact the Harbormaster’s office (410-263-7973) for more
details.

“There’s nothing like celebrating Independence Day in the state
capital, which for a brief time in Colonial days was our nation’s
capital,” Mayor Cohen said. “We can all do our part to make it an
enjoyable experience by following the traffic restrictions, parking at
the stadium and using the shuttles.”

Enjoy the celebrations of our nation’s independence!

P.S. Call me today for all your Annapolis real estate needs.

Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, Keller Williams Annapolis : Real Estate Brokerage in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 410-268-0160

Welcome Home!

Check out this beautiful waterfront home at our open house on Saturday, May 15, or Sunday, May 16, from 1-3 PM.

People often ask, “Can I find a decent waterfront home in Annapolis for under a million?” It’s easier than it used to be, thanks to today’s economy. Here’s a great home on the protected waters of Bear Neck Creek, in the lovely neighborhood of Holly Hills Harbor in Edgewater. With a private dock with room for your yacht.

For more details, including photos and a virtual tour, click here!

It is brand new on the market, so come on by the open house this weekend, and when you meet my colleague Carol, tell her I sent you. Or if you would like a private showing, let me know!

Private Deep-Water Dock

P.S. Call me today for all your Annapolis real estate needs.

Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, Keller Williams Annapolis : Real Estate Brokerage in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 410-268-0160

Brent Graef Horsemanship Clinic Flyer Maryland 2010

This year, Brent Graef will be teaching a horsemanship clinic June 25-27, 2010, at Rose Farm in St Leonard, Maryland.

For more details, including registration information, click here

Or give me a call at 410-268-0160, and I’ll be happy to rave about Brent till you realize this is an opportunity not to be missed!  Whatever your riding discipline, Brent can help.

Brent Graef’s web site has all kinds of information, including a schedule of clinics all over the country, and pointers to some videos and a yahoo chat group.

Please share this information with friends, clients, and family who may be interested in participating.   Auditors are welcome, too.

I look forward to hearing from you, by phone or email!

If you would like to find a Maryland horse farm for sale, be sure to visit MarylandHorseHomes.com

P.S. Call me today for all your Annapolis real estate needs.

Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, Keller Williams Annapolis : Real Estate Brokerage in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 410-268-0160

I heard that the cool way to say it is “Twenty-Ten.”

I’m off to find out if buying at a horse auction is just as risky as buying at a real estate auction. What do you think?

P.S. Call me today for all your Annapolis real estate needs.
Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, Keller Williams Annapolis : Real Estate Brokerage in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

It was a lovely day today, sunny, clear, and not too windy, which made for a nice time ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at the foot of Main Street. The Rotary Club of Annapolis staffs this booth every year from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. Many generous people were out and about, with kind holiday greetings and donations for the Salvation Army kettle.

Between greeting people and running post-snowstorm, pre-Christmas errands, it was later in the day when I got to taking photos. Perhaps next year I’ll take some photos of the Salvation Army booth!

P.S. Call me today for all your Annapolis real estate needs.
Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, Keller Williams Annapolis : Real Estate Brokerage in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Winter View of Spa Creek from Amos Garrett Park in Murray Hill, Annapolis

It’s a white Christmas in Annapolis!

With well over a foot of snow in the last twelve hours, Mayor Joshua J. Cohen has declared a state of emergency for the city of Annapolis, and Gov. Martin O’Malley has declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Maryland.

Wandering around the neighborhood of Murray Hill earlier today, the roads were quiet, the views were beautiful, and the ducks didn’t seem to mind the weather at all.

Ducks on Spa Creek in Annapolis

P.S. Call me today for all your Annapolis real estate needs.
Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, Keller Williams Annapolis : Real Estate Brokerage in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

My mailbox is flooded with good deals for Black Friday. How about you?

I could certainly use another thing or two, and like the idea of saving a few bucks. Perhaps I’ll manage to save a few more by celebrating Buy Nothing Day!

Of course Cyber Monday is just around he corner, so we’ll see what happens then. In the meantime, Happy Buy Nothing Day!

P.S. Call me today for all your Annapolis real estate needs.
Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, Keller Williams Annapolis : Real Estate Brokerage in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

According to the National Wild Turkey Federation, wild turkeys are native to North America, and around Annapolis, Maryland, we have a species called “Eastern Wild Turkeys”. For more fun facts, including how many feathers an adult wild turkey has, visit their web site…

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! And thank you for reading and commenting on my blog!

P.S. Call me today for all your Annapolis real estate needs.
Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, Keller Williams Annapolis : Real Estate Brokerage in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Many friends and clients were upset when their tax assessments rose while sales prices had declined.  Most complained and then simply paid their taxes.  A few decided to take action.  Some asked me for comparable sales data, advice on how to determine the market value for their homes, and tips on how to convey that information to others.

According to the State Department of Assessment and Taxation’s web page The Assessment Appeal Process :

Property owners sometimes feel that the department’s estimate of their property value is wrong. The assessment appeal process is available to allow property owners the opportunity to dispute the value determined by the department. Property values rise and fall to reflect the market. A property owner should file an appeal when they believe that their property is not valued at its current market value.

Appeals may be filed on three occasions:

1. upon receipt of an assessment notice;
2. by a petition for review; and
3. upon purchase of property between January 1 and June 30.

While it may seem like a hopeless effort to dispute your tax assessment, it can be done!   After all, the mission of the department is:

To promote fairness in taxation for Maryland property owners by uniformly appraising all taxable property at market value, certifying property values to local governments, and offering programs of property tax relief and business services in a manner that is courteous and convenient.

Some neighbors in Murray Hill just told me they succeeded in appealing, using neighborhood sales data that I had provided to them.  They said they were able to shave about $40,000 off of their assessment, which will save them a bundle.  For 2009-2010, real property taxes charged by Annapolis City are 0.53/$100, by Anne Arundel County are 0.523/$100, and by the State of Maryland are 0.112/$100, for a total of 1.165%.

Some long-term real estate investors make a practice of disputing every assessment that they get, because the tax increases really add up over the years.

You can dispute it at any time – you don’t need to wait until your next assessment comes out.  For specific details on your Anne Arundel County property taxes, visit Electronic Anne Arundel.

And if you’re in West Anne Arundel County, keep your eyes open for a new assessment notice in late December.

I am curious, do you think your assessment is too high?  Have you tried disputing it?

For more details, visitA Homeowners Guide to Property Taxes and Assessments

P.S.  Call me today for all your Annapolis real estate needs.
Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, Keller Williams Annapolis : Real Estate Brokerage in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 410-268-0160

Annapolis is home to many past, present, and future military members.  Being home to the United States Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis is commonly associated with the Navy.  Yet Annapolis is also home to many Army personnel and veterans, and the West Point Association of Graduates has a large and active chapter in the West Point Society of Annapolis.

We grieve for the victims at Fort Hood.

P.S.  Call me today for all your Annapolis real estate needs.
Carlyn Lowery, Associate Broker, Keller Williams Annapolis : Real Estate Brokerage in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland