Where to Donate In Anne Arundel County This Holiday Season

Nov 11, 2018

The holiday season brings a sense of giving to those that are able to do so. With our Sturbridge homeowners preparing to host their friends and family for Thanksgiving, we’ve compiled a list of local charities near our communities to donate to this season!

Donation Drop Spot

Whether dropping off clothes, shoes, books, or electronics the Harundale Plaza Donation Drop Spot in Glen Burnie makes donating your used goods to a nonprofit easy. By giving clothing and household items to the National Children’s Center at this Donation Drop Spot, minutes away from our Highmeadow Hills community in Severn, you’ll help provide funding for their mission and keep over 700 million pounds of textiles out of landfills every year.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake

This organization offers a variety of ways to give back to those in need across Maryland! From volunteering to tribute donations, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake allows you to choose the type of work you wish to contribute. Donate or volunteer your time to helping restore Maryland communities today!

HOPE For All

This local non-profit has been assisting Anne Arundel County families in need since 2006. HOPE For All accepts in-kind donations of clothing, furniture, hygiene, and cleaning products to help clothe families in need and furnish their homes. The group is always looking for organizations, students, and churches to assist in their community giving efforts.

Anne Arundel County Food Bank

Less than twenty minutes away from Sturbridge Homes Pony Club Estates in Annapolis, the Anne Arundel County Food Bank is in need of food and medical supplies as the holidays approach. The staff relies significantly on volunteers in order to accomplish their goals and provide meals to those in need!

Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control

With the temperatures decreasing, the Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control will require plenty of pet and food supplies to care for the animals in their facility. Click here for a detailed list of the items needed for the cats, dogs, and livestock at the Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control!

Everything’s Nice With Pumpkin Spice

Oct 26, 2018

Fall is the official season of cozy sweaters, hayrides, and everything pumpkin spiced flavor! We’re going above, and beyond your typical Pumpkin Spiced latte, with pumpkin spiced flavored treats you can find near your Sturbridge home!

Cheesecake Factory

Less than ten minutes away from Sturbridge’s new Wrightmoore community, residents can find not one, but two savory pumpkin flavored treats at the Cheesecake Factory in Hanover, MD. Savor the sweet flavors of fall and try the creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake baked in a crunchy graham cracker crust. Treat yourself to a second slice and go a little nutty with the tasty Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake. Made with a layer of pecan pie topped with a layer of Pumpkin Cheesecake and finished with caramel and pecans; yum! Don’t forget to add a scoop of ice cream to these delicious autumn sweets.

Einstein Bros. Bagels

A short seven-minute drive away from our upcoming Pony Club Estates in Annapolis, commuters will love the taste of the Pumpkin Walnut Crunch Bagel from Einstein Bros. Bagels on their way to work in the morning. Vegetarian-friendly, this crunchy treat is made with the bagel companies regular pumpkin bagel and perfected with a crunchy, sweet topping of walnuts and cinnamon. Ask for your bagel to be toasted for the perfect warm and savory delight!

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

The warm melt in your mouth donuts from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is definitely worth the twenty-seven-minute drive from our latest community, Highmeadow Hills, in Severn, MD. A dozen of the glazed Pumpkin Spice Cake donuts will satisfy your entire families hankering for pumpkin spiced treats!

IHOP

Residents in our Ranieri Run community can make their way to the IHOP in Lexington Park for the breakfast of champions; pumpkin style! Give the Pumpkin Spice Pancakes a try. Made with real pumpkin and seasonal spices, this delicious stack of fluffy pumpkin pancakes is crowned with creamy whipped toppings. Go the extra mile and try IHOP’s new Pumpkin Cinn-A-Stack Pancakes!

Jamba Juice

Trying to stick to your dieting goals this fall season? No problem! The rustic flavors of autumn get a healthy upgrade with Jamba Juices Pumpkin Harvest Protein Smoothie. Located in Arundel Mills mall, minutes away from our Wrightmoore community, this smoothie is packed with fiber and protein to keep you feeling full throughout the day. It’s the perfect after work out treat during the fall!

Dog Adoption Month in Anne Arundel

Oct 17, 2018

It’s Dog Adoption Month in Anne Arundel County! What better way to celebrate than giving one of these adorable dogs their fur-ever home. Head to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County to meet your new furry friend for Dog Adoption Month. Since 1920, this shelter has always embraced animals in need. At the AACSPCA, there is no time limit placed on how long an animal is available for adoption, giving the shelter a record a save rate of over 97%! The staff provides for all animals regardless of age, breed, or physical condition – and provide them with the care they deserve for as long as it takes to find them a great home. Besides, who could resist these faces!

How cute is Rhonda! This 3 year old Terrier American Pit Bull mix is waiting for her new home!

Juju, a nine year old Ju Ju Inu mix, has been waiting patiently at her foster home since January. It’s about time we found her new home!

This two year old German Shepherd came to the SPCA early this month; but we have a feeling this cutie won’t be here for long. Meet Kobe today!

This little ball of energy is the perfect companion for pet parents seeking a smaller breed.

Nipsy, a two year old Jack Russell Terrier mix, is waiting his new home!

Meet Sparkle, a beautiful two year old American Blue Heeler/Alaskan Husky mix! We’re positive she’ll sparkle up whatever new home she ends up at!

The SPCA staff describe Deuce as one of the most enthusiastic dogs they’ve seen. This adorable six year old Terrier Pit mix will be a welcomed addition to any family!

Why Rent When You Can Buy?

Sep 28, 2018

It’s an age-old debate for house hunters everywhere. Should I rent or buy my next home?

Yes, renting does have its benefits: it’s less of an investment and renters can move whenever their lease is up without the hassle of selling a home. Although renting may seem like less of a commitment, buying a home saves you money in the long haul. A recent study by Trulia found that in each of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas, buying was cheaper than renting in each city. The research showed that in Washington DC, it was 28% cheaper to buy than rent, in the spring of 2017 and 37% cheaper in Baltimore. Luckily for our Anne Arundel County residents, Washington D.C is easily accessible from our Highmeadow Hills community in Severn, MD near Annapolis.

The cost of renting increases every time your lease renews unless you’re in a rent-controlled neighborhood. However, when buying new, homeowners can be placed on a fixed mortgage payment plan that remains the same. The fixed payments create a little stability in finances since the mortgage is the bulk of the owner’s housing payment. Buyers are more likely to save money over time when buying a home compared to renting. Kathryn Vasel from CNN Money states, ”buying a home is also an investment and can be a key component of building wealth. Every mortgage payment means you own more of your home, which you will get back when you sell it.”

Another huge benefit of buying a house is the guaranteed tax deduction homeowners receive. Buyers are allowed to deduct mortgage interest and property taxes when they file tax returns each year. The tax deductions homeowners get for mortgage interest and property taxes will enable them to save money each month in taxes, so subtract those numbers from your total monthly housing cost to get an after-tax housing cost. The math proves that buying is most likely to save you more money compared to renting.

Sturbridge Homes is offering great deals on home sites in our latest communities in Anne Arundel County. Buyers can receive $18,000 towards closing cost with the use of Sturbridge’s preferred lender when buying this move-in ready home in our new Wrightmoore community! Loaded with upgrades this home features a gourmet kitchen with dark wood cabinetry, marble kitchen countertops, and Samsung Black Stainless Steel appliances. Take the virtual tour of our Newport floor plan today and call 443-714-8284 to schedule your personal visit.

We have several quick move-in opportunities at our Wrightmoore and Highmeadow Hills community. Discover the significant savings on these move-in ready dream homes here!

TV Shows to Stream On a Rainy Day

Sep 17, 2018

With heavy rains expected to pour into Maryland over the next few days, we’ve gathered the perfect list of television shows to stream during your rainy day weekend! So, pick a streaming service and whip up your favorite lousy weather comfort food for these binge-able TV shows.

Hulu

This Is Us- An obvious winner at the 69th Annual Emmy Awards and winner of this year’s Screen Actors Guild Award, This Is Us, is a heart-wrenching drama that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat(or couch). The NBC show focuses on a seemingly random group of individuals whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. You’ll definitely be needing the tissues for this one!

The Path- Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul, breaks away from the role of Walter White’s right-hand man, and stars in this drama-filled Hulu original. A faithful follower of a new-age spiritualist religion known as Meyerism, Eddie Lane begins to question the validity of the movement he has followed for most of his life.

The Handmaid’s Tale- Now in its highly anticipated second season, this Hulu Original is set in Gilead, a totalitarian society in what used to be part of the United States. Gilead is a fundamentalist regime that treats women as property of the state and faces w environmental disaster. Based on the best-selling novel by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale revolves around the main character Offred, who’s determined to survive this dangerous world and find the daughter that was taken from her.

Amazon Prime

The Americans-With six seasons of binge-worthy episodes, FX’s The Americans is sure to get you through an entire weekend! Philip and Elizabeth Jennings appear to be your average D.C. suburban couple. However, in this gritty TV drama, it’s revealed early on that both are KGB spies. Set during the Cold War Era, the Jennings play a dangerous game of espionage to complete their assigned missions while trying to keep up with the appearance of an all American family. It also can’t help that their new neighbor works for the FBI!

Marvelous Mrs. Maisel-New York in the late 1950’s sets the backdrop for this light humored Amazon Original. Miriam “Midge” Maisel has everything she has ever wanted — the perfect husband, two kids and an elegant apartment on New York’s Upper West Side. She soon discovers that she has an amazing gift: stand up comedy! The show follows Midge’s journey as she steps away from her “it girl” persona and dives into the New York comedy scene.

Jack Ryan- Author Tom Clancy introduced us to CIA analyst long before Chris Pine donned the role of the former Marine on the big screen. Now the Offices, John Krasinski portrays Ryan in this Amazon original thriller that centers on a dangerous field assignment that uncovers something shocking.

Netflix

Ozark -Jason Bateman stars as Marty Byrd, a financial planner laundering money for a Mexican drug lord, in this Netflix Original crime thriller. Byrd is forced to go on the run with his entire family after his partners’ money laundering scheme goes bad. The entire Byrd family is tasked with the heavy burden of raising the money to pay back Marty’s former employers. Why not head to the Ozark Mountains of Missouri?

The Innocents-Netflix delivers the classic tale of two star-crossed lovers with a twist in this supernatural thriller. Teenagers Harry and June are in love with each other and decide to run away from their repressive families so they can be together. The journey is cut short when the two discover June’s special abilities. The couple is faced with the hard choice to keep their dream alive or embrace that their lives have changed and risk it all.

The Crown-This Netflix Original gives viewers a peek into the life of the Royals. This drama follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.