If you're headed to Fort Meade in 2024 you'll want to check out the BAH rates to help you budget for off-base housing, or to compare housing costs on base to find the right solution for you.  Keep in mind that  BAH is designed to cover 95% of your housing costs, so it offsets costs, but doesn't always cover them 100%. It can though, if you budget and plan carefully, especially if you're buying a home.  And this year's 7% increase in the BAH rates is helping to keep these allowances in line with actual costs.  The chart below will give you an at-a-glance summary of your BAH for the year. Whether you're interested in buying a home or renting a home near Fort Meade, you'll have plenty of options to choose from.  We'll help illustrate how your housing allowance stacks up off base. With that... 01/22/2024

Are you searching for your dream home near Fort Meade MD? Look no further than the luxury townhome community of Watershed in Laurel, less than 10 minutes from the base! This neighborhood offers a winning combination of a beautiful wooded location convenient to everything Baltimore/Washington, fabulous amenities designed with the outdoor enthusiasts in mind, and reputable builders with innovative floor plans. Distinctly different, the Watershed community is nestled in the middle of acres of wooded preserve and green space and features a selection of reputable builders offering homes for sale starting in the high $400k range, as well as luxury rentals.  These builders have a strong track record of crafting high-quality townhomes that stand the test of time. Builders in the community inclu... 11/29/2023

Why Renting Might Not Be Your Best Option In 2023If you’re in the Greater Fort Meade MD area and are due for a lease renewal this year, now might be a good time to touch base with The Roskelly Team to see how the numbers look for your personal situation.  We’ve got great local lenders that can review your financial information and give you all the information you need to compare the cost of renting versus buying to see which makes the most sense for you.Rental affordability is a big issue in our area and while rental prices increase, there is no benefit to your long-term plan to pay someone else’s mortgage when you could be gaining equity in your very own home.There are other advantages as well including being able to accommodate your pets, the pride of home ownership and choosing you e... 05/15/2023

The 2023 BAH rates just came out for Fort Meade MD a few weeks ago and we thought you might like to see how they compare to home prices in the area.  Using your BAH, how much home can you afford to purchase and what features will that home likely have?2023 BAH Rates for Fort Meade, MD range from $2,499 to $3,700 with dependents.  Without dependents, the enlisted BAH rates range from $2,040 to $3,129.We'd like to give you some examples of what your BAH will get you if you are planning on buying a home near Fort Meade. We've used properties within 30 minutes in some of our most requested areas as examples here.  If you're willing to commute a bit more than 30 minutes you'll have more options!Starting with the lowest housing allowance, and at the time of this post, there are just 7 availab... 01/17/2023

2023 BAH Rates have been released for Fort Meade, MD and they range from $2,499 to $3,700 for rates with dependents.  Without dependents, the enlisted BAH rates range from $2,040 to $3,129.We'd like to give you some examples of what your BAH will afford you for a rental home in the area. Check out this blog for information on homes for sale near Fort Meade and how they compare to BAH rates. We've used properties within 30 minutes of the base as examples here.  Starting with the lowest housing allowance, and at the time of this post, there are 22 available homes for rent near Fort Meade in the $2,300 - $2,500 price range including one condo, many townhomes, a couple of single family homes.Jumping up to the median enlisted BAH rates, there are currently 26 homes for rent near Fort Meade i... 01/16/2023

Well-Maintained Severn Colonial Overview Maps Photos IDX Search $359,900 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 Half Bathroom1 UnitInterior: 2,352 sqftLot: 7,091 sqftYear Built: 1992MLS #: AA8760871 Location 7902 Severn Hills WaySevern, MD 21144USA David & Lisa Webber RE/MAX Executive(410) 320-0242webberteam@aol.comhttp://www.webberteam.com   Listed by: RE/MAX Executive Our recent listings Single Family Residential for $549,900 in SEVERN, MDSingle Family Residential for $315,900 in GAMBRILLS, MDSingle Family Residential for $499,990 in PASADENA, MDSingle Family Residential for $369,999 in BOWIE, MDTownhouse for $249,900 in CROFTON, MD Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 10/09/2015

Beautiful Ft. Meade Area Colonial OverviewMapsPhotos $369,900 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms3 Bathrooms1 Partial BathroomInterior: 2,178 sqftLot: 0.93 acre(s) Location 1920 Hilltop Roadjessup, MD 20794USA David & Lisa Webber (410) 320-0230webberteam@aol.comhttp://www.webberteam.com   Listed by: RE/MAX Executive Our recent listings 3 stories minutes to Ft. MeadeMulti-Level Chartwood CharmerBeautifully Remodeled HomeRemodeled Inside & Out!Bright, End Unit Tanyard Springs Townhome Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 09/30/2014

Invest in Crofton Real Estate - The Timing Couldn't be Better! Crofton's real estate market is one of the few in our nation to benefit from changes to our nation's defense strategy. While 70,000 service members will be cut from our armed forces in the $75 million leaner military budget, nearby Fort George G. Meade will welcome 4,000 more military men and women over the next few years. They will support the information, intelligence, and cyber security missions of the National Security Agency, Defense Informaton Systems Agency, Defense Media Activity, and Cyber Command, which are located at Fort Meade. In fact, 13 major construction projects are currently in progress to house this expansion. But these folks also need a place to live. Crofton's location in the middle of a triangle formed ... 07/23/2014

New Wellness Center Opens at Fort Meade Members of Maryland's Congressional Delegation were on hand Monday for the opening of Fort Meade's new Wellness Center. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin and Rep. Paul Sarbanes were on the post, and missed all the drama in Washington, D.C. when the U.S. Senate was locked down after the Navy Yard shooting. The House of Representatives did not lock down, but additional security measures were taken at the U.S. Capital and other Government facilities in Washington, including Fort Meade in nearby Maryland. The new Wellness Center, located in the former Medal of Honor Memorial Library, will serve as the hub for a variety of services that promote healthy living. It's all part of Operation Live Well, which focuses on the prevention of health care i... 09/18/2013

Fort Meade, MD is celebrating Independence Day a day early this year. The Red, White & Blue Event 2013 will take place on July 3rd from 4 pm until the fireworks (scheduled for about 9.30 pm). There will be plenty of food vendors, a barbecue cook-off, a beer tent (tickets must be purchased at the ticket sales booth), inflatables, NASCAR car displays and live music by Jerrod Niemann, Brett Eldridge and Chelsea Bain. As always the Red, White & Blue Celebration is open to the general public. Please note that parking on base - or near the Parade Field - may be a little tighter this year due to the construction of the new AAFES; the parking lot in front of the commissary will fill up quickly. Bring a blanket and celebrate Independence Day at Fort Meade a day early this year! 06/30/2013

If you have PCS orders to Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, a map of the huge D.C. – Baltimore area may seem a bit overwhelming as you try to decide where to look for a home.   This Google map zeroes in on an area that will probably keep your commute to 30 minutes or less on most days.   Let me provide you some links for easy access to current home listings in some of the communities you might find appealing. These include both homes for rent and homes for sale: Bowie Crofton Crownsville Davidsonville Gambrills Millersville Odenton You can find brief descriptions of these and many other nearby communities at MargaretWoda.com. Here's a Commuter's Guide that you might also find helpful:   If you have any questions about off-post housing in the area around Ft. Meade, feel free to contact m... 02/25/2013

The 2013 BAH rates have been released. Troops and their families stationed at Fort Meade get to look forward to an increase in their monthly housing allowance come January 2013.   Below is a break down of the 2013 BAH rates for the duty zip-code 20755 (Fort Meade, MD): For comparison, the average rent for a 3 bedroom home in communities popular with military families stationed at Fort Meade was $1,913/month for Odenton and Gambrills in Anne Arundel County and $2,252/month for Columbia, Ellicott City and Elkridge in Howard County, MD during 2012. With continuously low interest rates some will find that a mortgage payment is more affordable than paying rent. It is not the right choice for everyone, however, and depends on many variables, length of orders, future plans, family etc. PCS'ing... 12/17/2012

It is unbelievable how fast a year flies by - I feel like I just blogged about this a couple of months ago! It's already the end of June and Independence Day is fast approaching - and with that the annual 4th of July Celebration at Fort Meade. The event will take place on the parade field again and will be open to the public as well (plan on some extra time at the gates in the evening or avoid the Main Gate if you have a DoD ID). There will be lots of fun things to do for the kids (bounce houses, inflatable slides, pony rides, a train ...), plenty of food vendors, live music, cannon fire and, of course, fireworks. Bring some blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the event - last year seating was only available on the side lines, on the opposite side of the parade field from all the food vend... 06/29/2012

From showing to signed lease in 42 hours - that's the way I like it! As a military spouse Realtor® who lives and works in between two major military installations - WRNMMC Bethesda and Fort George G. Meade - I have the pleasure of assisting many military families who are PCS'ing to the area. When it comes to rentals, more often than not, things need to happen fast. Military families are either house-hunting from afar and sometimes rent sight unseen or need to have everything wrapped up while on house-hunting leave. Having to hunt down agents to get some answers is not my favorite pastime but part of the job. Unfortunately, it happens all too often that my emails are not answered, my questions ignored and my calls are not returned. Whether it's because the other agent is too busy, or it'... 06/16/2012

'Tis the season for the Home Shows (and "Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel" apparently). The Mid Maryland Home Show will take place this weekend, April 20th - 22nd, 2012 at The Pavilion at Fort Meade ... just in case you missed the MD Home & Garden Spring Show and the Suburban MD Home Show a few weeks ago. The Fort Meade Pavilion is at Rt. 175 and Llewellyn St. You do not need a DoD ID card to enter - the event is open to the public. Tickets are $3 on opening day and $6 for adults (click here for a $1 off coupon) and $4 for Active Duty & Retired Military. More than 60 companies will be featuring their products and services ranging from fences, cabinets, counters, flooring, patios, gutter guards, windows, doors, bathrooms, siding, driveways, awnings, energy consulting, HVAC, waterproofin... 04/17/2012

PCSing to Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, Naval Station Annapolis, or The Pentagon?  Relocating for a civilian job at the Department of Defense or Homeland Security?  You may be eligible for a $5,000 grant to help you buy a detached home, townhome or condo, using a 30-year fixed-rate loan.  This grant is available through the Dream Makers Program of the Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) Foundation, but you don't have to be a member of PenFed to qualify. Eligibility requirements: Military (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard or Veteran) OR civilian employees at the DOD or DHS First-time home buyers OR you haven't owned a home for the last three years OR you lost your home through divorce or disaster $55,000 annual income maximumOR 80% of the amount earned by a smiliar family in the area  ... 03/26/2012

Free tax assistance for military and dependents at Fort Meade I just finished my taxes last night *phew* after fighting my way through the incredibly frustrating Maryland taxes. The State is not making it very easy for military families. Thus, I'll likely take advantage of the free tax assistance offered to active-duty and retired military and their dependents at Fort Meade - just to be on the safe side. It would be nice if it could all be simple and straight-forward, but then it wouldn't be called doing your taxes. The State of Maryland has a whole bunch of different tax scenarios for military troops stationed here, it can get very confusing: from single non-resident to married part-time resident with a full-time resident spouse. In some cases, military families are required to file 2 ... 02/06/2012

A taste of Germany: chocolates, bread & wine at the Fort Meade commissary and local Maryland stores Whenever I get a bit Germany-sick (I left Germany a long time ago and very much consider Maryland home) I opt to cure myself with a piece (or a few) of German chocolate or a glass of German wine. A few years ago I had to rely on my family to send some German goodies or bring a suitcase full when they came to visit. Nobody knew what Nutella* (or similar hazelnut-chocolate spreads) was around here and I had to hunt down a nice bottle of German wine. How things have changed! Now I can shop at the commissary at Fort Meade and have quite a selection to choose from, nothing like a German grocery store of course but not bad. They have a variety of things and seem to be adding more and more: from... 01/05/2012

If you're anticipating PCS orders to Fort Meade, you can look forward to living in a vibrant area within an hour of DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis, plus on-post activities that will keep you and your family members busy year-round.  It's not just the big occasions, like July 4, when you have your choice of fireworks on the National Mall in DC, Fort McHenry in Baltimore, or on-post... there's something different every week that you can enjoy without even leaving the post.  Last week: There was a Fall Craft Contest for Kids (5-9), Pre-Teens (10-12), Teens (13-18) and Adults; a 4-person scramble tournament at The Courses with special contests. food, prizes and good company; a program to help prepare adults and kids for leaving their pre-teens and teens home alone - i.e., teaching them how to... 11/09/2011

A columnist for The Washington Times contacted me last week for an article she is writing, and this is the question she asked me:  What makes you a military specialist?  Of course, any agent can work with a relocating military family, whether they're coming or going.  And most of those transactions will be successful.  However, many military families prefer to work with a so-called "military specialist." There's no professional designation or rulebook for real estate agents to be considered a "military specialist" but there may be certain expectations on the part of service members and their spouses.  My military clients tell me they're looking for an agent who brings these qualifications to the table:   "Been there, done that," as a member of the military or a military spouse.Military ... 09/25/2011