Is Fort Washington MD Safe?

Definition of "Is Fort Washington MD safe?"

Located on the Eastern side of the Potomac River, just south of Washington DC’s downtown district is Fort Washington, an unincorporated area in Prince George’s County. Living in Fort Washington, MD combines the vibrant big city life, with DC’s downtown so close by, with beautiful nature and parks available within its border.

A town with such a rich and impressive history attracts many visitors but the safety of Fort Washington makes it a good place to live for over 24,000 residents. Retirees also have many opportunities to spend time outdoors and families can also choose Fort Washington over D.C. as it is safer. With lower crime rates and a less hectic way of life, Fort Washington, being only 34 minutes away from Washington D.C. can be used as a suburb for the nation's capital for those working in the big city as there are plenty of homes for sale in town.

Safety numbers

Fort Washington manages to maintain its safety rates lower than the national average. When it comes to property crimes, with a national median at 24 for 1,000 residents, Maryland stands slightly better with 20.33 crimes. In Fort Washington, the number drops further to 15.48 for 1,000 residents. The difference isn’t very big but if in Maryland you have a chance of 1 in 49 to fall victim to property crime, in Fort Washington, the chances are 1 in 65.

As for violent crimes, in Maryland, there are 4.69 crimes for 1,000 residents, while the national median for violent crimes is at 4 per 1,000 residents. For Fort Washington, MD there are 2.29 violent crimes for 1,000 residents. This means that while there is a chance of 1 in 213 to fall victim to violent crimes in Maryland, the chances diminish by more than half in Fort Washington with a 1 in 437 chance.

Overall, Fort Washington is safer than 34% of other U.S. cities, this town can offer the intimacy of a small town with a multitude of things to do either within the city or in the cities near-by.

When looking for a place to live, location is very important and if you contact real estate agents in Fort Washington, MD you might be able to use the many proximity advantages that the town has to offer.

Comments for Is Fort Washington MD Safe?

Marie F Raymond said:

I see multiple open space land owned my the same owner going up for upset sale auction. Is it possible to build on that land? This same owner owns multiple houses surrounding the acres that are going for sale.

Sep 21, 2024 15:44:42

Hi Marie,

When land goes up for an upset sale auction (typically due to unpaid taxes), whether you can build on it depends on several factors. Here's a general checklist to consider when evaluating if the land can be developed:

1. Zoning Regulations

Check the local zoning code to determine what kind of development is allowed on the land. Zoning laws regulate land use, and the land may be designated for agricultural use, open space, residential, or commercial purposes.
Some open space land may have restrictions on development, especially if it's zoned for conservation or recreational purposes.

2. Environmental Restrictions

If the land is considered wetlands, a flood zone, or a protected natural area, there may be limitations or requirements for development.
Check for environmental assessments or requirements for permits from environmental agencies before building.

3. Land Use Restrictions

There may be deed restrictions or easements on the property that limit its use or development.
Review the deed history and any covenants attached to the property.

4. Access and Utilities

Ensure that the land has legal access (roads, easements) and that utilities such as water, sewage, and electricity are available or can be installed.
Building permits usually require proof of access to necessary infrastructure.

5. Previous Use of the Land

Since the same owner owns houses surrounding the open space, it's worth investigating the historical use of the land. If it was part of a residential community, it could potentially be re-zoned or integrated into a larger development.
Confirm that there aren’t any legal limitations (like pending litigation or claims on the land) that would affect the development potential.

6. Bidding and Sale Process

With an upset sale, buyers typically acquire the property as-is, and the local government often does not guarantee the clear title or ensure no encumbrances. Be prepared for possible back taxes, liens, or other financial obligations attached to the land.

Before purchasing land at an upset sale for development, it’s a good idea to:

Consult with local municipal officials (planning or zoning office).
Work with a real estate attorney or land use expert.
Conduct thorough due diligence on zoning, building regulations, and any hidden costs (like unpaid taxes or liens).

Oct 08, 2024 14:58:48

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

Popular Real Estate Glossary Terms

BTU

British thermal unit-a unit of energy associated with the creation of heat. Prior to 1929, it was defined as the amount of heat required to raised the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 ...

Box construction

Method of construction where vertical siding is attached to a horizontal framing structure. Often found in the design of agricultural buildings. ...

Property brief

The definition of a property brief is a document including the summarization of the attributes and characteristics of the property. Officially issued legal records are supposed to include ...

Market study

Study of real estate activities including demand, price, location influence, and current trends. ...

Stretcher bricks

A method of brick construction where the bricks are laid with their sides facing outward. ...

Real estate developer

A developer is a person that designs or creates something that could be a concept, structure, product or service. An idea can be turned into something real, tangible and the person that ...

Adjournment of closing

Act of postponing a closing for another day or place. Adjournments of closing can occur for a variety of reasons including the lack of an appropriate closing statement, one or more parties ...

Comparable sales

Market analysis method where sales of similar properties in proximity neighborhoods are compared. The comparable sales methodology is extremely useful if the properties being compared are ...

Special warranty deed

Property deed in which the grantor limits the title warranty to the grantee. A grantor does not warrant a title defect to the property occurring from a happening before the time of his ...