Contact MargaretArchive for the 'Nearby Communities' Category
City of Bowie Emergency Response Leaves Family Stranded
April 18th, 2008 Categories: Nearby Communities
CITY OF BOWIE FAILS BOWIE FAMILY
Please forgive me, Crofton, but I’m going to use this medium to describe a situation in the City of Bowie right now. Their lack of response to a huge sewer back-up in my son’s home on Kinderbrook Lane in Bowie, Maryland, is an absolute failure in city government. I’m hoping that exposing this situation might encourage the city to make a greater effort to mitigate damages for Tim and his family – sooner rather than later.
To make a long story short, sewer blockage under a Bowie city street caused Tim’s house to literally bleed raw sewage – through the walls and floors, out of all the plumbing fixtures and even between the slab and structure on the exterior. Mom and the kids evacuated immediately to a hotel, with the clothes on their backs, and Dad stayed behind to deal with plumbers and the City of Bowie Public Works Department for the next 24 hours.
I’ll spare you the details and gross photos, but suffice it to say that sewage which was backed up in the pipes, walls and flooring of the house literally gushed out for ten minutes, when city workers relieved the pressure (not promptly when the problem occurred, mind you, but after business hours began the next day). They determined, and verified through a camera in the line, that the blockage occurred on City of Bowie property under the street.
The City of Bowie risk management team is dragging their feet more than 24 hours later, however, even though their representative was on site as the Public Works Department worked to relieve the problem (photo to the right) more than 24 hours earlier.
While State Farm Insurance responded promptly, arranging temporary housing for this family of five in a 2–room suite and helping them purchase new clothes and shoes, the City of Bowie has not yet (24 hours later) authorized professionals to begin mitigating damage within the house. Two Service Master trucks literally sit in the driveway (2 p.m., 4/18/08) waiting for an okay from the City of Bowie to begin their salvage operation. Meanwhile, this bio-hazard further infects the property and its contents each hour that passes.
Again, I apologize to my Crofton neighbors for digressing from the focus on Crofton, but I hope you understand my desire to see this matter brought to light. My son and his family are probably not the only family failed by the City of Bowie, but this particular family has a mom/grandma who writes a local blog (and yes, the Bowie Blade has been contacted). I shall update this periodically to report any improvement in the city’s response.
And I’ll be back on topic with my next post. I promise.
RELATED POST: When Your House Bleeds Sewage – Insurance and Warranty Provide Relief
UPDATE 4/21/08: The City of Bowie has apparently relented and authorized a restoration company to go in and get to work. Unfortunately, that work did not inlcude removal of the 40–year old tile squares because “they’re not porous.” Of course, anyone who ever lived with tiles like these knows how the textured design and space between tiles holds dirt (and perhaps sewage???), not to mention the porous concrete underneath that surely absorbed sewage along the edges under the flooded walls before the tiles started at the edge of the room…
UPDATE 4/24/08: Some of the affected wood flooring and wallboard have been removed, but no one has seen any sign of a contractor since Tuesday (today is Thursday). Unfortunately, the family’s computer equipment is among the items that appear to have been “thrown” into a box without any regard for protecting them from other things (including a chair) thrown on top; framed and matted pictures have been set outside, left unprotected, and now rained upon; dining chairs have been set on foam blocks to raise them above the floor level, but children’s toys such as a Fisher-Price kitchen and child’s table are not raised off the sewage-soaked floor.
I wonder if lead-based paint was buried under more recent layers on the wallboard they cut… if so, does that mean lead-based paint has been distributed throughout the house via air ducts? So many questions.
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Foreclosure Properties for Sale Near Crofton
January 29th, 2008 Categories: Nearby Communities
You’ve heard it, you’ve read it…
Now is a great time to invest in real estate, while the prices and rates are down.
If you’re looking for LOCAL foreclosures, let me help by sharing these Freddie Mac properties with you. The list doesn’t include any Crofton or Gambrills foreclosures right now, but these homes are located in nearby areas that might interest some Crofton real estate investors.
ODENTON
630 RIDEN STREET, ODENTON, MD
Rooms: 10 Bed: 3 Bath: 2.
Price: $347,500.00
Status: Currently listed
BOWIE
3701 MERCER DRIVE, BOWIE, MD 20715
Rooms: 10 Bed: 3 Bath: 2.5
Price: $324,450.00
Status: Currently listed13206 10TH ST, BOWIE, MD 20715
No information available
Status: Not yet listed16036 ELEGANT CT, BOWIE, MD 20716
Rooms: 6 Bed: 3 Bath: 2.5
Price: $325,000.00
Status: Currently listed15414 EMPRESS WAY, BOWIE, MD 20716
Rooms: 6 Bed: 3 Bath: 2.5
Price: Not yet available
Status: Not yet listed
COLLEGE PARK
4808 ERSKINE RD, COLLEGE PARK, MD 20740
Rooms: 9 Bed: 3 Bath: 1.5
Price: $247,200.00
Status: Currently listed8811 62ND AVENUE, BERWYN HEIGHTS, MD 20740
Rooms: 5 Bed: 3 Bath: 2.0
Price: $293,550.00
Status: Currently listed
If you’re thinking about investing in real estate while the market is down, be sure to read one of my earlier blogs on the topic, New Real Estate Investors, This is for You.
Remember, when you buy a foreclosure, the risks are great since you’ll probably be buying the property in “as is” condition. One thing you might consider is looking at other listed homes nearby because those sellers are well aware they’re competing against a foreclosure. They may be willing to negotiate accordingly, and chances are that your purchase would not be “as is”.
RELATED LINK: Read How to Avoid Foreclosure, if you are currently behind in your mortgage.
Mortgage Interest Rates – Today, Last Week, and Last Month
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What’s That on the Hermitage Wall?
January 4th, 2008 Categories: Nearby Communities
Crofton MD, Nearby Communities –
Pink flamingos instead of reindeer? Larry and I noticed this holiday display at the entrance to Hermitage on our way from Crofton to Annapolis Mall over the weekend. Does anybody know the rest of the story?
If pink flamingos are on the minds of Hermitage residents, they might be interested in the Florida relocation program I’m having through February!
Seriously, if you know the story behind this Hermitage holiday display, I’m sure others in Crofton would be interested in hearing it.
RELATED LINKS:
- Homes for Sale – GAMBRILLS. Check out homes in Hermitage and other Gambrills communities.
- FREE Market Snapshot. Enter your address to receive a report on what’s on the market and what’s been selling nearby.
- 5 Ways to Finance a $500,000 Crofton Home – Helpful financing tips for Hermitage homebuyers.
WHO WANTS TO MOVE TO FLORIDA – Celebrate F is for Florida in February with Margaret on February 7 at 7 p.m., and learn about life in Florida from several Florida real estate agents. More information and reservations
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Huge Home Near Crofton
October 2nd, 2007 Categories: Crofton Real Estate, Nearby Communities
If you’ve outgrown your Crofton home and need more space - both inside and out - don’t miss this great value in nearby Davidsonville, just $800,000!
You will enjoy the beautiful fall foliage of your treed back yard from a 1400+ square foot deck and screened gazebo. Other features include five bedrooms, four and a half baths, a nanny suite on the lower level, wood floors on the main level, sitting “L” and garden bath off the master bedroom, two pellet stoves to keep utility costs low, and an acre+ lot.
For more information about this home, check out the online flier posted at Localism.com or the home’s own website at 3427BlandfordWay.com.
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Margaret Woda
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Private Retreat Near Crofton
September 30th, 2007 Categories: Crofton Real Estate, Nearby Communities
Do you remember the old song from elementary school, “Over the river and through the woods…” Well, that pops into my head every time I approach this home. There’s no river, but the driveway winds through trees past two other custom-built homes and around a bend, where you will find this gem.
This 4–year old is located on 2.33 acres, NOT in a Homeowner’s Association. There are 3700+ finished sq. ft. and another 2700+ sq. ft. unfinished basement. If you want room to spread out, this is the property for you!
For details about this property, check out the online flier posted at Localism.com.
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. Margaret Woda
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