Maryland Real Estate For Sale

As one of the original colonies in the United States, Maryland real estate includes everything from original homes from the 1600s to modern homes built this year. Many of the homes in Maryland are modest in size and have a colonial or British Georgian architectural style, with a symmetrical appearance. But alongside these elegant standalone homes, you'll also find that Maryland real estate has an unusually small portion of single-family detached homes- just over 50%. Much of the real estate in Maryland is townhome style, and large cities like Baltimore have high concentrations of apartments. This is in part a representation of Maryland's commuter population who may maintain a home in Washington D.C. during the week and Maryland on the weekends.

But whether you need a primary residence or a place to hang your hat after work in the nation's capital, Maryland real estate has a home for you. The median price of homes in the Maryland real estate market is $421,000, though this can vary widely by area. Baltimore has a median home price of just $205,000, while areas like Annapolis have much higher figures. Not only are these some of the lowest prices in the mid-Atlantic region, but Maryland homes also average 1,920 square feet, which is more house for your money.

The Maryland State Department of Education oversees the 24 public school districts in the state, which represent one for each of the 23 counties, plus Baltimore City's school district. These encompass more than 1,400 schools that serve approximately 900,000 students.

In recent years, Maryland's public school system has been ranked as high as #1 in the nation by multiple sources. Some reports have concluded that no state in the country has as consistent of a record of excellence as Maryland, which is above average in all six of the broad categories used for most rankings. One area where Maryland excels is in the number of high schools offering and students taking college-level courses.

While Maryland has a stellar reputation as a state, some districts stand out even among their peers. Montgomery County Public Schools is the largest in Maryland, and of the 206 schools in the system, 41 are National Blue Ribbon Schools; Baltimore County Public Schools has over 20 schools with the same honor. Prince George's County Public Schools is similarly large and has earned national recognition for its innovative learning programs, which focus on career and technical education.

Maryland real estate also has access to 55 colleges and universities, including the University System of Maryland. These institutions range from small liberal arts universities to Naval academies to newly founded community colleges.

Maryland has two major airports: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport. The state also houses 36 other commercial airports, though they are less commonly used.

Some of the best places to visit in Maryland are the beaches. With about 3,000 miles of coastline, Maryland beaches range from popular boardwalks like Ocean City to small spring-fed swimming holes and lakes with a mountain view. Along with the ocean, Maryland is home to a huge number of parks, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. Hiking, fishing, camping, and any sort of outdoor recreation are popular for this reason. The state is also full of historical landmarks and museums commemorating its place as one of the nation's oldest colonies.

For young people starting a career in Washington D.C., it is extremely common to live in a neighboring state like Maryland and commute into the capital. But even young professionals without this need for proximity choose Maryland real estate due to its central location, large job market, and access to cultural and food touchstones.

Maryland is full of small towns and cities with low crime rates and a feeling of community with your neighbors. Like any big city, Baltimore has higher crime rates than the rest of the state, but just outside the area are places where kids freely ride their bikes and residents take evening walks with no fear. Some of the safest areas in Maryland include Somerset, Chevy Chase neighborhoods, Garrett Park, and Bethesda.

While many people in Maryland actually work in nearby Washington D.C., the state itself has a thriving economy. Much of the state still relies on fishing and agriculture, especially nursery and greenhouse products. There is also a large chicken farming sector, as well as a dairy farming sector. Manufacturing is also prevalent, with electronics and computer products being a major export. Food processing is also key, as Maryland has the most significant food processing plants by value in the country. Other key industries include biotechnology, tourism, and mining.

Maryland offers some amount of tax benefits to retirees, with Social Security income and retirement income from 401(k)s excluded from income tax. This can make it a good option for retirement financially. But the real reason retirees may choose Maryland is the ability to enjoy the outdoors, whether you prefer hiking or swimming, and the relaxing feel of most small towns. Many also enjoy that Maryland real estate is centrally located between a number of large cities, making it easy to visit family and have them visit you throughout the year. Maryland is also known for having world-class healthcare facilities that can be useful for anyone managing health concerns.

While it is a busy East Coast state, much of Maryland has the feeling of a small Southern town full of hospitable neighbors and local shops. These towns are often centered around a local landmark or natural beauty, whether it is the ocean or a mountain range. Besides Baltimore, the state doesn't have many metropolitan areas, so there is little distinction between the suburbs and these small towns. Everywhere you go, you are likely to find someone you know or at least a friendly stranger.

Baltimore itself, however, is a classic urban center. The city has no shortage of bars, nightclubs, music venues, restaurants, comedy shows, and anything you can hope for to plan a great night on the town. Those looking for a huge adventure may travel to nearby Philadelphia or New York, but Baltimore offers plenty of cultural events and activities to keep most locals occupied.

These small towns and Baltimore may have distinct cultures, but there is one thing they can usually agree on: sports teams. The city has a range of professional teams and huge stars to its name. The Baltimore Orioles introduced Cal Ripken Jr., and their home field of Camden Yards is a gathering place for many in the state. The NFL also has a home in Baltimore with the Ravens, who have made it to the Super Bowl twice- and won both times. The excitement surrounding these teams brings a lot of the state together.

For those who have never been to Maryland, the name probably brings one thing to mind: crab cakes. The popularity of the dish is because Maryland is home to world-famous blue crabs, which are some of the best in the world. If a cake form isn't for you, you can also enjoy steamed crabs, soft-shell crab, crab soup, crab imperial, or just about any other dish you can think of, including the crustacean. But if seafood isn't your thing, Maryland is known for a number of local treats. You can enjoy Smith Island cake, burger cookies, thrashers fries, or pit beef throughout the state. And of course, don't forget to top it off with Old Bay.

Since Maryland is small in size, there is not a lot of variation in weather across the state. Wherever you buy real estate in Maryland, all parts of the state have the same predictable change of seasons. Years start out with winters that bring about 20 inches of snowfall and lows in the 20-degree range until spring arrives, bringing with it cherry blossoms and other foliage. Summers reach an average high in the 90s and can be very humid, especially the farther you are from the ocean. Fall is many people's favorite time in Maryland, with changing leaves and many pumpkin patches to choose from as you enjoy the cool weather.