According to Redfin, one “Walk Score Point” can increase the price of a U.S. home by an average of $3,250 or 0.9 percent.
Tag: city living
Cool Rents: Chesapeake Commons
Perhaps you’ve heard? Renting is the new buying. Welcome to Cool Rents where we walk you through standout rentals in the Baltimore real estate market.
Name: Chesapeake Commons
Cross Streets: North Eutaw and George Streets
Neighborhood: Sometimes Market Center, sometimes Seton Hill, sometimes Mount Vernon (mostly Seton Hill but v. close to Mt. Vernon)
Year Built: 1899 and repurposed as apartments in the early ’80s
Price: With dozens of individual floor plans, there is quite a range, but to give some idea; a one bedroom (888 sq. ft.) is $1350 and a two bedroom (1,486 sq. ft.) is $1,895
Just the facts: Pet-friendly, but a charge of $15 to $45 a month depending on the pet’s size, washer and dryer in all units, free hi-speed internet, a gated and reserved parking space runs $90 a month.
Live Baltimore Celebrates 15 Years Promoting Baltimore as a Great Place to Live
LiveBaltimore is claiming a metered parking spot in front of its downtown office in the 300 block of N. Charles Street to create a temporary park as part of Park(ing) Day today, from 12 to 2 p.m., and it’s throwing a good old-fashioned birthday party in the “park” to celebrate 15 years of showcasing Baltimore as a great place to live. LiveBaltimore invites all city lovers to stop by during lunch to play Pin the Tail on the Donkey, wear a party hat, and devour a piece of birthday cake.
Brooklyn In Baltimore: A Townhouse In Federal Hill
Hot House: 225 E. Montgomery Street, Federal Hill, Baltimore 21230
Two story town house in Federal Hill, circa 1900, newly renovated. Unusual in having front and back yards plus a separate carriage house with apartment. Four bedrooms, three and a half baths, with rooftop views over the Baltimore harbor: $729,000
What: Steps from Federal Hill Park, just off the busy streets of this popular neighborhood, sits this modern town house. The winding brick path behind the wrought iron fence is a nod to its history. The sleek garage (no desperate hunt for street parking here) and interiors bring it right up to 2011 — 2,080 square feet of urban oasis. The living room is long and narrow, like all Federal Hill houses, but architecturally kind of interesting. The stairs have been pushed into the back of the house to get more light and space. Supporting the stairs is a single large round column, faced in blond wood. There is also a living room fireplace with a contemporary blond wood surround. The kitchen is at the back of the house, up a short flight of stairs, and modern, with new appliances. View of the private stone patio in back, and the carriage house beyond. Second-floor master bedroom suite is large and cleanly designed, with good built-in storage. Master bath has unusual salt and pepper tiling, big glass shower and separate whirlpool tub. Two additional bedrooms, both have built in storage. The fourth bedroom is above the carriage house, a posh guest set-up with a full bath. Roof deck on the house has great views of Federal Hill and the harbor. Hardwood floors, throughout, central a/c basement wine cellar.
Where: E. Montgomery Street is the first street up Federal hill, behind and parallel to Key Highway. 225 is between Battery Avenue and William Street. Across Federal Hill Park is the Visionary Arts Museum. Nearby are the Cross Street Market, Regis (the legendary Federal Hill hangout) and bars, coffee shops, shopping. All this, and free public transit. The area is well served by the free Charm City Circulator bus.
Why: The urban vibe. Historical and hip. Busy streets, lively shops, the butcher at Cross Street Market. There is a strong neighborhood feeling here, with lots of people who have been here for years, plus new families and singles – the glorious rainbow, etc. And …the house is shelter mag ready, you won’t need to do a thing.
Would Suit: Someone looking for the Brooklyn in Baltimore. For you guys, it’s either here or Canton.
NB: Architects might wish previous owners had spent a few more thousand to have the decks done in metal, not wood. There’s not much school choice around here, but Federal Hill Elementary gets increasingly good reviews.
Homeland on the Lakes
HOT HOUSE: 5215 Springlake Way, Baltimore, 21212
Stucco house with stone walls, overlooking the lakes in Homeland plus an additional side lot: $899,000
What: A north Baltimore classic – 1930 center hall Colonial, beautifully landscaped and solidly built. One of Homeland’s top tier homes, with an old-world feeling that comes from the hillside setting and stonework. Formal, good sized living and dining rooms, one on each side of the center hall, with wood floors and crown molding. Pretty sunroom with terrazzo floor and French doors leading out to the gardens. Kitchen at the back is unusually small, but well-designed and appointed with Bosch dishwasher and Wolf range. Breakfast room and butler’s pantry could all be combined and extended into a large kitchen, but as the realtor points out, you would lose the view of a charming, sunny stone patio. Upstairs is a good size master bedroom suite, and the nicely finished third floor would be a great area for kids, with storage and office space. Five bedrooms, three full and two half baths. Grounds are worth a spot on the garden tour, especially a terraced vegetable garden. Two car garage with automatic opener and an attractive cottage-y garden shed. The additional side lot lends privacy as well a luxurious feeling of space. Views of Homelands famous “lakes.”
Where: The heart of Homeland, the neighborhood designed by the Olmstead Brothers in 1924, after Guilford and Roland Park. Homeland is north of Coldspring Land, bordered by Charles Street on the west and York Road on the east.
Why: Nice city living, very much a neighborhood. Tree-lined streets, a short drive to private schools, Belvedere Square, Charles Street and Roland Park shops.
Why Not: Homeland has strict neighborhood standards. If you’re thinking about growing a meadow or owning large numbers of dogs/cats, this is not the place for you.
Would Suit: law-abiding executive family, gardeners, Europeans.
