Laurel’s neighborhoods — spanning Howard, Prince Georges and Anne Arundel counties — offers a varied mix of Maryland real estate for any type of buyer, whether you want an upscale estate near the finest schools or a charming and affordable starter home. The average home in this neck of the Maryland real estate woods ranges from as low as $50,000 to as high as $900,000. Here you can find condos, single family residences or townhomes – all within 30 minutes of the nation’s capital.

Anne Arundel County is close to Fort Meade. Properties here range from $90,000 to $500,000. There aren’t many foreclosures or short sales here, but the average sales price has dropped $30,000 over the last year. This section of Maryland real estate isn’t moving quite as fast as it was last year, when the government loans were injecting added life into the market. This year, 11 properties sold with an average of 86 days on the market – compared to last year’s 18 properties and 80 days on the market.

Howard is the closest county to the NSA. Homes in this party of Maryland real estate range from $69,000 to $897,000. There are slightly more foreclosures here, but the average sales price went up $30,000, which is encouraging. Fewer properties sold this year (18 compared to 30), but the homes sat on the market for 14 days less this year.

Prince George’s County, which encompasses most of Laurel, has a good number of foreclosure and even more short sales. The average sales price was $247,000, but properties range from $49,000 to $540,000. The Prince George’s County Maryland real estate market is a little sluggish compared to last year, but the number of quality homes gives us real estate agents hope.

“I was pretty clueless about it,” 35-year-old Jose Remedios said of his first home-buying experience in the Maryland real estate market. “I was at the level of, ‘Tell me how much I owe and I’ll pay you that.’” He and his wife had been living in a cramped Silver Springs apartment, but with a third baby on the way, they knew they needed more space. The Remedios family was disappointed to learn that lenders offering mortgages on Maryland real estate required a 20 percent down payment.

The Federal Housing Administration’s program allows buyers the ability to get a piece of Maryland real estate with as little as 3.5 percent down. The buyer can then secure a mortgage easier. If the buyer’s home is later foreclosed upon, the government will cover the lost down-payment money.

To be eligible for the FHA’s Maryland real estate program, buyers must put down 3.5 percent (it’s non-negotiable) and take out mortgage insurance (valued at 2.25 percent of the loan). If they’re looking at condos, the condos must be FHA-certified. If they’re looking at homes, they cannot look at “as is” Maryland real estate.

When subprime mortgages were the hot trend, only 3 percent of buyers wanted anything to do with the FHA program, but now 30 to 40 percent of Maryland real estate buyers are interested, says Steve Stamets of Union Mortgage Group in Rockville.

In my practice, I’ve helped many prospective Maryland real estate buyers get FHA loans. You may also be eligible for a state grant that will help you cover more of the down-payment. Never discount the possibility of becoming a homeowner! There are always ways to save yourself from throwing money away at rent each month.