This weekend there will be 10 waterfront open houses in and around Annapolis. On the list is 619 Beach Drive in Hillsmere Estates. This home offers expansive water views from nearly every room, has 106' of water frontage, a private beach, and 50' dock with boat lift. It is listed for $975,000 and will be open this Sunday, October 2nd, from 1-3PM.

Click on the image to see them all.

There are 32 new waterfront homes listed in and around Annapolis. Of these, 8 are rentals listed between $2100/per month to $4200/per month. The newest waterfront listing for sale is a 4 bedroom, 2 and 1/2 bath traditional home in the community of Turnbull Estates in Edgewater.

​Click on the above image to see them all.

The information provided is from the multiple list service and neither suggests nor infers that Travis Gray or Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of properties depicted. 

410-849-6520
​2831 Pennypond Lane, Annapolis

This weekend there are 13 waterfront open houses in and around Annapolis. On the list is 15 Boone Trail in the coveted community of Linstead on the Severn. This exquisite 5 bedroom, 5 full and 2 half bath home has two master suites, a pool house, guest cottage, and 4-car garage. It will be open this Sunday, September 25th from 1-4pm and is listed for $3,595,000.

Click on the map to view them all.

​The information provided is from the multiple list service and neither suggests nor infers that Travis Gray or Coldwell Banker participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of properties depicted.

The photo of the room above works well with the patterned rug for a couple reasons: 1) the pattern isn't overbearing and 2) the quilts and pillows are neutral and calming while pulling from the rug colors, tying the room together. 

It's important keep spaces neutral to allow the focus to fall on the house's features and not to distract heavily from those features. It is easy from this photo to get a sense of the size of the room which is key for potential buyers. Bathrooms are an easy and important space to maximize by keeping the walls neutral and shower curtains and towels white. They can have pattern or perhaps a colored embroidery as long as they are not initials and don't clash with other colors in the room. Colors are okay as long as they are simple and not distracting. Keep surfaces clear of all personal items. 

Click the images to see more of this gorgeous home

We are head over heels in love with this trend we are not only seeing more and more of but also seems to be a new classic. It's easy to work with, adds punch to any space yet is gentle enough to not be offensive. And why stop in your home? It's a lovable color no matter where you look. 

Fun to experiment with on your own, the neon green the indigo is before the air oxidizes it into the blue is exciting to watch. 

In the past 30 days, there have been 35 new waterfront listings in and around Annapolis. Of the new waterfront listings, 6 are waterfront rentals priced from $1,895 to $4,200. The listings for sale range from a 2 bedroom, 2 full bath condo in Shearwater listed for $449,900 to an historic colonial on Meredith Creek with 8 bedroom, 6 full and 1 half bath listed for $14,500,000.

Click on the image to see them all.

The information provided is from the multiple list service and neither suggests nor infers that Travis Gray or Coldwell Banker participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of properties depicted.

In the 1920’s on the corner of 4th and Chester Ave, George Washington Davis opened a confections and general store, which turned into Davis’ Lounge by the 1940s for the local watermen in the neighborhood. In 1986, the corner building became Davis’ Pub as we know it today. True to its founder, Davis’ Pub has stayed a local, neighborhood joint with good, affordable food. Tourists find it, locals frequent it. Davis's makes an effort to keep the restaurant "green" through a number of incentives, and friendly dogs are always welcome outside. It is truly an Eastport landmark where "There are no strangers, only friends you haven't met."

In case you're still a little confused about what exactly Smart Home technology is, there are basically 7 areas of the home where the technology can be used: smart door locks, lighting, appliances and outlets, thermostats, home theater, security cameras, alarms and sensors. 

Then there are the hubs which connect and control all those different areas. 

Then there are other areas where smart gadgets are available, such as your pets. The Contech Electronics Scat Mat (image above) uses electric pulses similar to static electricity to keep your dogs off the furniture or out of rooms. Or a self-cleaning kitty litter box, or the automatic feeder that only feeds set portions at the times you dictate so your pet doesn't over indulge. 

The technology and possibilities are endless, which is why it's up to you to decide if and which smart home technology is best for you. 

Elizabeth Reich is an associate interior designer with Jenkins Baer Associates with nearly two decades of experience. With a wonderful eye for color and unique details, she works closely with her clients to translate their ideas while bringing the unexpected to rooms designed to be used and loved. While incorporating traditional design with a modern edge, her signature use of natural elements and textures adds warmth to her interiors. Her work has been featured in several publications including LUXE interiors & Design, Style Magazine & HOME&DESIGN magazine. Please call the Jenkins Baer offices if you are interested in speaking to Elizabeth about your project at 410.727.4100.

As we come into fall and Halloween seems to be just around the corner (as all the shops will have you believing,) if you are planning to put your home on the market or already have it listed, you may want to think twice before filling your yard with gravestones and cob webs. Not that we don't all enjoy a spooky house in the neighborhood, but this post is about keeping your curb classy, not kitschy. 

Fill planters with fresh mums, changing magnolia leaves, red grasses and/or cabbages. Get some fresh pumpkins and gourds- but not too many!- and to line the front door or steps, and hang a simple wreath. Bittersweet is always a nice touch. If you just can't help yourself and need to go wild for Halloween, just don't keep the decorations out for more than one week TOPS. 

Probably not the message you want to be sending your potential buyers! 

Quirky yet sophisticated and always fun, Eastport is a maritime section of Annapolis rich in history with a strong sense of community. From the yearly tug-o-war with Annapolis to all the bars and restaurants locals and tourists alike keep filled, Eastport always has something going on. Walking distance to downtown Annapolis and nearly entirely surrounded by water for easy access to any water sport or recreational opportunity, Eastport is a community like no other. 

In the past 30 days, 36 houses have sold in Eastport. Currently there are 33 houses listed included 3 rentals. Of the houses for sale, there is 705 Glendon Ave. Click the image above to see more of this opportunity and to get a sense of what the final results may be. 

Click here to see all houses currently for sale in Eastport

The information provided is from the multiple list service and neither suggests nor infers that Travis Gray or Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of properties depicted. ​

This weekend there are 23 waterfront open houses in and around the Annapolis area. They range from a Shearwater condo for $449,900 to an Eastport house on Spa Creek for $1,995,000. 

If you're dreaming of the waterfront lifestyle but don't find it quite attainable yet, there is always the option of waterfront community living. This house in Epping Forest is open on Sunday the 18th from 2-4pm and happens to be pretty cute. 

Photo on the left: see those towels? See how cute they are hanging there, implying that this is a mudroom type of area where we do things like hang our beach towels or backpacks or coats in winter? Notice how there is nothing else in this space, clogging it up. Notice how the area is fairly spacious and convenient next to the back entrance. 

Now look at the photo on the right. Look familiar? We've all been there or may be there now, myself included, but it doesn't mean it's what buyers want to see when they come in! Maximize the space your house to offer by putting all those things away and allowing the buyer to imagine themselves living a peaceful life in the space. 

Last week we looked at black details so continuing that theme is something we've been noticing more and more of lately: matte metals. We could go ahead and group another trend - black stainless appliances - in the same category because they're matte black. Easier to care for than regular stainless in that they aren't as susceptible to to smudging, the effect of the black is dramatic yet classy. Last year it seemed everything was shiny but 2016 has proven to be the opposite. Everything from fashion and makeup to lamps and appliances, matte is the newest sheen. 

There are currently 133 houses for sale in Annapolis over $1,000,000. They range from a 5 bedroom, 4 full and 1 half bath house on Duke of Gloucester with views of Spa Creek and the Severn River listed for $1,795,000 to a $14,500,000 estate built in 1908 on over 26 acres. Featured is the house above, with 5 bedrooms, 7.5 baths and stunning views of the Severn River. 

​Click here to see all million $ listings in Annapolis

​The information provided is from the multiple list service and neither suggests nor infers that Travis Gray or Coldwell Banker participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of properties depicted.

Creating Communities was established in 2007 when award-winning jazz musician and creative artist Rob Levit recognized the need for innovative arts programs for underserved children and adults in Anne Arundel County. Our mission is to use the power of music, art, movement and photography to reach learners who need more than traditional modalities of learning and expression. Our work allows these groups to make their own choices and life decisions through experiential learning, the creative process and personal reflection. Our vision is to create communities where the arts are an integral component of our social fabric, where the power of creativity connects, enriches and transforms lives.
Creating Communities’ programs target underserved communities, with a particular focus on low wealth, vulnerable young people. Our goal is to use arts-based alternative educational opportunities to teach artistic skills, life skills, academic competencies, community service, and employability skills.

Creating Communities currently offers a number of after school programs at Bates Middle, Eastport Community Center and the Eastport United Methodist Church one a day a week at each location. 

If you are interested in learning more, please click the image above or email Rob Levit, the founder of Creating Communities, to sign up for volunteering. Volunteers are always needed, especially on Tuesday afternoons from 3:45 to 5:00pm at the Eastport Community Center. You can also follow Creating Communities on their Facebook page