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A home in Carroll County allows you to enjoy an unparalleled lifestyle minutes away from many of the best attractions and destinations in the Baltimore Metro Area. If you’re interested in buying a home in the area, this page offers a closer look at Carroll County, MD and the homes for sale you’ll find here, along with some helpful tips to keep in mind during your search.
CARROLL COUNTY: THEN AND NOW
Located in northern Maryland, Carroll County offers an outstanding quality of life in a laidback setting enhanced by charming small towns and sprawling farmlands. Breathtaking scenery, top-rated schools, fun festivals, family-friendly recreational venues, and easy access to big city amenities combine to make it one of the best places to live in the Piedmont Plateau region.
Named after Charles Carroll III, one of the country’s Founding Fathers, Carroll County was formed in 1837 from different areas of Baltimore and Frederick counties. It played a significant role during the American Civil War, seeing heavy troop movements and skirmishes that were part of the Gettysburg campaign.
Once a primarily agricultural area, Carroll County has since transitioned into a vibrant suburban area that provides a much-needed respite from busier, faster paced metro areas. It’s also become one of the wealthiest counties in the state.
Carroll County’s central location makes it a prime choice for companies in various industries such as manufacturing, health, and business services. Still, the county continues to preserve its rich agricultural heritage: 50% of its land mass is devoted to agricultural use.
Thanks to the wealth of investment and employment opportunities in nearby Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Carroll County attracts young professionals and growing families searching for a pleasant and relaxing environment accessible to a wide variety of opportunities and conveniences.
THE CARROLL COUNTY, MD REAL ESTATE MARKET
With its tranquil pace, charming communities, and picturesque setting, Carroll County is a terrific choice for homebuyers.
Homes for sale in Carroll County, MD include spacious single-family homes, well-appointed condos, and luxury residences in exclusive communities. For those looking for farmhouses and equestrian properties, there’s a great selection of ranch-style homes available throughout, many with updated amenities and features including barns, grain rooms, and run-in sheds.
Homes here tend to sell for asking price or just a little bit under, and the median home sold price is typically higher than the state median — both of which illustrate how attractive real estate in Carroll County is.
Browse our Featured Listings to see some of the finest homes for sale in Carroll County, MD.
FINDING THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOME
When buying a home, the importance of location cannot be stressed enough. You might find a property among the selection of houses for sale in Carroll County, MD that meets most of your requirements, but none of that will matter if it happens to be in an inconvenient or undesirable location.
Initially, you may feel like you’re willing to sacrifice convenience just to close the deal on that seemingly perfect home. Over time, however, the inconvenience of your location will likely take its toll on your quality of life.
Apart from convenience and accessibility, you also want to find a place that accommodates your lifestyle. This may be difficult to gauge if you’re completely new to the area, so you may want to consult your real estate agent, as they have extensive knowledge of local neighborhoods.
You could also strike up a friendly conversation with your potential neighbors to get a feel for the area, and do some research on the various cities, towns, and neighborhoods to figure out which one best fits your budget and your needs.
When choosing a neighborhood, ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I love about my current neighborhood?
This will help you figure out what exactly you want to look for in a neighborhood, whether it’s the overall vibe, safety, proximity to amenities, or other factors important to you.
- How accessible are schools, medical facilities, and employment centers?
Even if you’re moving to a place like Carroll County because you want to get away from it all, you’ll still want to have easy access to the basics (schools, hospitals, etc.), along with recreational options and shops, restaurants, parks, and entertainment venues.
- Will my quality of life improve here?
Moving to a new place is generally seen as a way to improve your quality of life, but you want to be sure that you are indeed moving to one that can support your hobbies and allow you to enjoy the activities you love.
- Can I afford to live here?
You want to thrive in your new community. Property prices and a cost of living that goes beyond what you can comfortably afford will only hinder you from enjoying that fresh start you’re aiming for.
COMMUNITIES IN CARROLL COUNTY
Carroll County has a population of more than 170,000 and spans an area of 4,533 square miles. The county seat is Westminster, a city well-loved for its diversity, wealth of outdoor destinations, and tight-knit community.
Below are just a few of the most desirable communities you can find in Carroll County:
- Sykesville
Named one of the safest towns in Maryland and dubbed the “Coolest Small Town in America” by Budget Travel magazine in 2016, Sykesville offers a charming blend of old world and modern.
The town provides many opportunities for outdoor recreation and has a strong emphasis on historic preservation. The community prides itself on its involved citizenry, which helps promote a warmer and friendlier living environment. Sykesville’s convenient location is perfectly suited for those looking for a short commute to work in Baltimore.
- Eldersburg
Established in the 1800s, Eldersburg is a serene community surrounded by enchanting woodlands, minutes away from Liberty Lake, making it a great place to live for outdoor enthusiasts.
In addition to its relaxed setting, Eldersburg is conveniently accessible to Baltimore and the D.C. area, making it a highly desirable choice for new residents looking to enjoy the best of both worlds.
- Hampstead
Hampstead is as close to a storybook town as you can get: a tight-knit community with a charming small-town atmosphere, where most shops and restaurants are locally owned, and a vibrant Main Street is always bursting with activity.
Aside from Westminster, the county has one other city, Taneytown, and the rest is made up of a patchwork of over two dozen towns and unincorporated communities, each with its own distinct character.
Every location has its pros and cons. One of the best ways to get to know a community is to explore, interact with locals, and check out what’s around the area. If possible, visit several times a year just to see what it’s like during different seasons. Once that’s done, you can move on to the next phases of your home search.
THE HOME BUYING PROCESS
Buying a home can be a challenging endeavor. But as long as you do your research and work closely with your agent, you’ll be able to make smart, well-informed decisions and fulfill your real estate goals.
To help you with your search, here are some of the key steps involved in the homebuying process, as well as a few guidelines when buying a home in Maryland:
Take a good look at your budget.
Remember that you’re not simply spending on the home itself. There are other costs involved, such as repair fees, closing costs, and taxes. You might also have to outbid other interested buyers on a home you like, so your budget needs to be ready for that possibility.
You also want to be sure that you still have enough funds remaining after you buy your house, which will go towards utilities, new furniture and appliances, repairs and maintenance, and other necessities. Once you have your budget in order, you can then begin to look at homes that fall within your price range.
Make sure your credit score is in good shape.
Your credit score determines if you qualify for a mortgage and how high your interest rate will be. Get a copy of your credit report as early in the process as possible, and take measures to help build or maintain good credit, such as paying off your debts on time and having a diverse credit mix.
Get pre-approved.
This will put you a step ahead of other potential buyers who might be interested in the same property. Getting pre-approved by a lender gives the seller more confidence to transact with you since there will be less risk of the deal falling through because of a lack of appropriate financing.
Find the right real estate agent.
Many buyers make the mistake of thinking they can easily handle a real estate transaction from start to finish without the help of an agent, only to discover they’re way over their heads.
Working with a real estate agent makes the process more streamlined and stress-free for buyers. They’ll curate a list of properties based on your requirements and notify you of any exclusive listings before they’re posted anywhere.
Real estate agents are updated on current property prices, inventory levels, upcoming developments, and other community details, enabling them to find an ideal neighborhood tailor-made for your unique needs and preferences.
Make an offer and start negotiations.
Your agent will prepare a comparative market analysis, which evaluates similar homes that have recently sold in the area. You’ll be able to use this as a basis for making a fair yet compelling offer on the home you’re interested in.
In addition to the price, you and your agent may also need to negotiate other terms and conditions such as repairs, closing costs, length of escrow, inspections, and what’s included in the sale.
Get an inspection
The house might appear in good shape at first glance, but there may be some hidden issues lurking beneath the surface.
A home inspection provides an accurate view of a home’s true condition and reveals any underlying issues that may not have been known to or disclosed by the seller. The inspector will provide you and your agent with a complete report. If there are any serious problems, you may be able to use this as leverage in future negotiations.
Figure out any costs, policies, and processes that are specific to the state.
Closing costs include everything from private mortgage insurance to loan origination fees to attorney fees. Property taxes are also included, with homeowners expected to pay in property taxes 1.04% of the property’s assessed market value. Maryland recently ranked ninth in ClosingCorp’s list of states with the highest closing costs.
Don’t forget to get flood insurance.
In addition to the standard homeowners insurance, you may want to consider getting flood insurance as well even if you’re not in a high-risk flood area. If your house is in a FEMA floodplain and your mortgage is federally backed, however, then it’s required.
Close on your new home.
Although closing day mostly involves signing paperwork, it’s also a great opportunity to reinspect the house by doing a final walkthrough to make sure that any issues have been addressed.
The home buying process can be rather intricate, which is why working with a real estate professional who understands your needs, looks after your best interests, and guides you through every stage of the transaction will be important.
FIND YOUR NEW HOME WITH THE HELP OF THE BEST CARROLL COUNTY REALTORS
I’d love to help you learn more about Carroll County! As a top Realtor with a lifelong connection to Maryland and Pennsylvania, I take pride in providing first-class service to clients searching for their dream home in this beautiful area.
Whether you’re looking for a comfortable condo, a luxury estate, or a sprawling farmhouse property, the homes for sale in Carroll County, MD are guaranteed to impress.
Ready to start the search for the perfect home in Carroll County? Get in touch with me today at 443.310.9788 or send me an email.