Enjoy a lazy afternoon at Allen Pond with family and friends... or even by yourself.  There's something to be said for "getting away" for a little peace and quiet. Bowie residents love Allen Pond, but it's popular with people in neighboring communities, as well.  Here's why... Allen Pond is an 85-acre park located on Northview Drive, near Bowie New Town Center.  As you can see from these photos, there's a playground - in fact, there are two... one for small tots and another for older children, picnic areas (which can be reserved), an amphitheater, paved walking and biking trails, and a pond you can enjoy from the shore or a rented paddle-boat. This is not the only park in Bowie MD, however.  There are several others, including Acorn Park (Sage Lane and Stonybrook Dr), BlacKsox Park (... 04/11/2010

Bowie, MD SOLD Homes March 2010 Houses SOLD:  80 Average LIST price:  $304,593 Average SELLING price:  $299,757 Average DAYS ON MARKET: 85 LOWEST SALE price:  $135,000 - 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath single family home located in Northview built in 1973 - foreclosure HIGHEST SALE price:  $550,000 - 6 bedroom, 7 bath single-family located in Woodmore built in 1998 - foreclosure    Bowie, MD ACTIVE listings (as of 4/8/10) ACTIVE Houses:  493 Average LIST Price:  $344,451 LOWEST LIST Price:  $109,900 - 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo, built in 1989 - foreclosure HIGHEST LIST Price:  $1,999,999 - 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath single-family home built in 1985 Current Average Days on Market:  125   Bowie, MD UNDER CONTRACT listings (as of 4/8/10) UNDER CONTRACT Houses:  354 Average LIST Price:  $316,457 LOWEST LIST Pric... 04/08/2010

Live Where You Golf - Woodmore (Bowie, MD) Woodmore is one of Prince George's County's most prestigious addresses.  This exclusive, gated community is located in Bowie, MD.  Woodmore is convenient to everywhere (Washington, DC, Baltimore, & Annapolis) but feels as though it is miles away from reality.  The jewel of this wonderful community is the Country Club at Woodmore.  The golf course at Woodmore was designed by Arnold Palmer and has been open since 1981.  This private course is consistently hailed as one of the best in the Mid-Atlantic region.  The Country Club at Woodmore has hosted a PGA tour event since 2007. In addition to the spectacular golf course, the Country Club at Woodmore is home to swimming, tennis, and fine dining.  Resale homes in Woodmore range from mid $300s to ove... 04/08/2010

Whether you prefer a best seller or a literary classic to read, you'll find it at BOWIE LIBRARY, located on Route 450 adjacent to Bowie Sr. High School in the heart of Belair at Bowie.  But books aren't the only thing you'll find at the library... A program on Starting a Vegetable Garden will be held right there on April 24 at 3 p.m.  It’s not too early to get out your calendar and mark it down, as well as these other coming events: Bowie Library will be the scene of a cooking demonstration featuring herbs and vegetables from your own garden at 7 p.m. on April 20.  Kenneth Clay, the executive chef for Clyde’s of Gallery Place and formerly the sous chef at Old Ebbitt Grill, will be the presenter. A week later (April 26 at 7 p.m.), author Rebecca Coleman will share some writing tips with... 04/06/2010

  Take a walk through history right here in Bowie MD as you explore several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Belair Mansion, Belair Stable, and Bowie Railroad Museum.   BELAIR MANSION - This home was built circa 1740 by Samuel Ogle, Governor of Maryland.  Through the years, it became known as the "House of Governors" because Governors Thomas Bladen, Benjamin Tasker, Sr, Benjamin Ogle I, Oden Bowie and Christopher Lowndes were also associated with it at various times.  Belair at Bowie was built on land that was originally part of this estate.   BELAIR STABLE - You'll find out why Bowie is known as the "Cradle of Thoroughbred Racing" when you visit the stable on Belair Drive which housed the first known breeding pair of English thoroughbred horses, ... 04/06/2010

TOP THREE REASONS MILITARY FAMILIES CHOOSE BOWIE: If you have PCS orders for duty in the D.C. area, you're probably both excited about the opportunity and nervous about the cost of living.  Even though I grew up in the area, that's exactly how my husband and I felt when we were faced with a move from San Diego CA to Annapolis, where he would teach at the U.S. Naval Academy. One of the first places we looked for a home was Bowie MD, and here's why: 1.  LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION - Bowie MD is less than a half hour to Andrews AFB, Fort Meade and the US Naval Academy.  It's also home to military personnel stationed at the Pentagon, Bethesda Naval Medical Center, Walter Reed,and other installations in the Baltimore-Washington area.  From the intersection of Routes 3 and 50 in Bowie, it's ... 04/05/2010

  Looking for things to do in Bowie, Maryland?  Local residents love Bowie Golf and Country Club, a city-owned facility on Route 197 across from Belair at Bowie in North Bowie operated as a semi-private club. This 18-hole golf course ia open year-round, plus there's a driving range, putting green, pro-shop, picnic area and 19th hole eatery/bar.  Non-members can play golf for as little as $20 after 4 p.m. on weekdays to $50 on weekend mornings, and unlimited memberships range from $1750 (seniors) to $2150 (families).  Bowie residents are eligible for a “Class C” membership for $50, which provides a significant discount on the daily rate, and kids play free (subject to some limitations). During the 18th century, this property was part of a 600-acre working horse farm known as Peachtree E... 04/04/2010

  There's no shortage of places to dine in Bowie MD when your taste buds get tired of the same ol' thing.  Whether you're looking for burgers or fajitas, seafood or salad... it's all here in Bowie, within five minutes of Belair at Bowie.  One of my family's favorite restaurants in Bowie is Rip's, although you can find almost any national franchise eatery your heart desires. Why Rip's?  First of all, it IS unique - you won't find one in or near every shopping mall in the country.  The food is home-style and home-cooked on site... recipes the locals have enjoyed for years, some since the 50's.  And the decor honors Bowie's place in history as the cradle of thoroughbred racing.  Ask for a booth, where you'll see the name of a champion thoroughbred posted overhead. We frequent the franchis... 04/04/2010

Some Bowie home buyers are experiencing a flashback to the seller's market of a few years ago as they compete with multiple offers on their dream home.   It was déjà vu this past week in our local real estate market as some disappointed home buyers, eager to go under contract in time for the soon-to-expire tax credit, found themselves on the losing end of a bidding war for their dream home.  The combination of tax credit and customary Spring real estate market up-tick has created a surplus of home buyers competing for the best properties on the market. 59 homes are currently under contract and pending settlement in North Bowie (20715 - north of Rt. 50).  All but seven of these are detached homes.  In Greater Bowie there are 354 homes under contract. Unfortunately, 152 of these homes wer... 04/03/2010

For many people living in a golf course community is a dream.  This is the year to make that dream a reality.  Prince George's County, MD has many great opportunities to live where you golf. One of the great golf course communities is Lake Arbor located in Bowie, MD. Lake Arbor is located in Bowie, MD (Prince Georges County) just outside the Nation's Capital. This is a large community which is made up of several smaller communities:  Arbor Park, Arbor View, Newbridge, Northlake, Ridgewood, Ridgewood Park, Southlake, Vistas at Arbor Park, Westlake, Woodview, & Woodview Village.  The homes are nestled around an 18 hole golf course and a magnificent lake.  Lake Arbor features rental apartments, condos, townhomes, and single family homes. Lake Arbor Golf Club was built in 1967 and is favori... 04/01/2010

Bowie MD Real Estate - Status for Week Ending 03/27/10 The current inventory for Bowie, MD homes for sale and rentals is 512. This amount of inventory is significanly higher that most surrounding communities, and is consistent with the current Bowie real estate market. As you can see from the chart below, thirty eight new listings came on the market in Bowie MD last week. These were a good combination of offerings for anyone from first time home buyers to move up purchasers. Fourteen of the new listings were priced below $250,000, a nice price range for first time home buyers for Bowie, MD. The most expensive new listing was a 4 br, 3 bath house in the Woodmore section listed for $667,000. Four new rental listings came on the market this past week. The current rental market is very robu... 03/28/2010

Bowie MD Real Estate - Status for Week Ending 03/20/10 The current inventory for Bowie, MD homes for sale and rentals is 509. This amount of inventory is significanly higher that most surrounding communities, and is consistent with the current Bowie real estate market. As you can see from the chart below, fourty one new listings came on the market in Bowie MD last week. These were a good combination of offerings for anyone from first time home buyers to move up purchasers. Eleven of the new listings were priced below $250,000, a nice price range for first time home buyers for Bowie, MD. The largest of the new listings was a 6 br, 4 bath house in the Canterbury Heights section listed for $565,000. Six new rental listings came on the market this past week. The current rental market is ver... 03/21/2010

BOWIE REAL ESTATE, 20720 and HOMES MARKET REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2010.  BOWIE IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND. What's the market like in Bowie, Maryland.  That question comes up when folks are thinking of buying a home in one of the most popular communities in Southern Maryland.  Consider some of the attractions for Bowie and you'll understand why it's so popular.  MARKET REPORT FOR BOWIE 20720. THE AVERAGE SOLD PRICE FOR ALL HOMES SOLD IN BOWIE IN FEBRUARY 2010 SOLD FOR 12.18% more than for February 2009. THE AVERAGE DAYS ON THE MARKET for all homes sold in Bowie in February 2010 was 53 days compared with 100 days on the market in February 2009. HOMES SOLD IN BOWIE IN FEBRUARY 2010 sold for 94.83% of the list price.  The same homes sold for 91.38% of the list price in February 2009. T... 03/12/2010

Bowie MD Foreclosures by Category - March 7, 2010 Bowie MD is one of the cities in this area that has been hit hardest by foreclosures and short sales. The inventory is slowly being reduced but there are still 62 active listing foreclosures in Bowie, MD. You can view these 62 foreclosures by clicking the link here. Pre-foreclosure and Auction activity seems to have stabilized in the past few months. Foreclosure Categories Bank Owned (Active Listings) 62 Preforeclosure 35 Auction 27 If you're interested in seeing any Bowie, MD foreclosures, or any other listing in Bowie, I can help. Richard Iarossi, REALTOR® Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc. Crofton, MD 21114 410-451-6255 Office 443-995-9595 Cell Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com Annapolis MD Real Estate ... 03/07/2010

$5,000 GRANT FOR HOME BUYERS IN MARYLAND for DOWN PAYMENT and CLOSING COSTS. First Time Home Buyers or Buyers who have NOT owned real estate for the past 3 years. N E W S     F L A S H!  FOR HOME BUYERS IN Maryland.  Homefinders.com has partnered with local lenders to provide a GRANT of $5,000 to our qualifying home buyers.  Counties eligible in Maryland include all counties, mainland and Eastern Shore.   Homefinders.com market areas eligible for the $5,000 GRANT include Montgomery, Prince George's, Frederick, Charles Counties. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED.  Last year this GRANT money was exhausted in November. To make application contact Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.  Qualifying LENDERS have been funded for 2013. Some income limits apply depending on the number of peop... 03/06/2010

Bowie, MD SOLD Homes February 2010 Houses SOLD:  55 Average LIST price:  $301,250 Average SELLING price:  $298,181 Average DAYS ON MARKET: 102 LOWEST SALE price:  $136,000 - 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath single-family home located in Pointer Ridge at Collington  built in 1973 - bank owned HIGHEST SALE price:  $753,034 - 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath single-family located in Westwood built in 2009    Bowie, MD ACTIVE listings (as of 3/5/10) ACTIVE Houses:  442 Average LIST Price:  $350,281 LOWEST LIST Price:  $109,900 - 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo, built in 1989 - foreclosure HIGHEST LIST Price:  $1,999,999 - 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath single-family home built in 1985 Current Average Days on Market:  137   Bowie, MD UNDER CONTRACT listings (as of 3/5/10) UNDER CONTRACT Houses:  309 Average LIST Price:  $319,096 LOWEST... 03/05/2010

       Homebuying programs for home buyers with disabilities.  I need your help-PLEASE. I met a very lovely couple today at my office who wants to buy a PG County house for sale.  They are a first time home buyers who are looking to buy hopefully by Summer of this year. It was a referral from my other brother from another mother. (Blog coming soon).      Anyway while I was talking to this very lovely couple,the wife asked me if I know of any programs for first time home buyers with disabilities. I did a search on Google and look what I find a blog- A blog by one of our own Mariana Wagner ~ Colorado Springs REALTOR® Home Buyers with Disabilities: Colorado Now Offers a 3% Fixed Interest Loan (Through CHAFA) .  This blog by the way came up first page on Google-YES! Page 1,not page 100 or 1... 03/04/2010

BOWIE MARYLAND REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2010 for Zip Codes 20715, 20716, 20720, 20721. BOWIE, Maryland, one of the most popular location for home owners in Prince George's County, Maryland.  Bowie Is For Families - Families of One Person - Bowie offers a wealth of resources for First Time Home Buyers seeking starter homes such as Condominium Homes, Town Homes, and Single Family Homes of all sizes and prices. Families with Children- Bowie offers wonderful amenities; recreation centers with indoor and outdoor swimming facllities, ball fields, fresh water ponds / lakes for fishing and paddle boating, popular public schools and private schools, homes with acreage, homes in prices that help the family budget. For all homes buyer, Bowie offers fantastic shopping, transportation... 03/01/2010

Financial Organization for your home loan In order to make the home loan process easy for you and your lender, you should be financially organized. At the beginning of the year, most people are inclined to have that in order for tax filing purposes. However, it is a great practice to maintain year-round. Especially if you’re ready to begin your home search long after you’ve filed your taxes in the earlier months of the year. Maintain all your financial records - including your tax records - in one place. You may want to buy a box and keep your separate information in different labeled folders (tax information together, for example, and bills in another folder) for easy referencing. But, don't just keep a file of your bills. Track your progress with them. * Place a note directly on the b... 02/27/2010

Most Lenders Prefer Short Sales to Foreclosure Listings An increasing number of mortgage lenders have been choosing short sales over foreclosure listings because home prices have been falling rapidly anyway. During the boom times, people who were unable to continue paying their mortgage loans due to job loss or serious illness sold their homes easily through foreclosure listings or through auctions to pay their loans. In the past several months, home prices have fallen so low they are not even enough to pay the balance of the mortgage loans. Lenders have been considering short sales because they have realized that in many cases, they are losing more when they go through the process of foreclosure and selling the assets through foreclosure listings. When lenders foreclosed, they underta... 02/27/2010