Buying and selling in Catonsville, MD

Where Catonsville is

The Frederick Turnpike was built in 1787, and Richard Caton built Castle Thunder on it that year; the community took his name in the 1830s. Streetcar service began in 1862.^[1]

Main roads are I-695, I-195, I-70, US 40, Frederick Road (MD 144), Rolling Road (MD 166) and Wilkens Avenue (MD 372).^[1]

Housing stock

Catonsville has 16,926 homes with a median year built of 1965. About 19% were built in 1939 or earlier and 21% in the 1950s. Half are detached houses and 18% townhouses.^[2]

Hilton, the Winters Lane Historic District and Summit are listed on the National Register.^[1]

Getting around

• The nearest MARC station is Halethorpe on the Penn Line. Weekday trains to Washington Union Station take about 43 to 57 minutes.^[1][3]

Before you buy or rent here

• Baltimore County charges a 1.5% transfer tax and $2.50 per $500 in recordation tax, and a deed that changes ownership must come with a lien certificate.^[4]
• Maryland's state transfer tax is 0.5% of the price. When the buyer is a first-time Maryland homebuyer who will live in the home, the state rate drops to 0.25%, paid entirely by the seller.^[5]
• Baltimore County requires rentals with six or fewer units to be registered and licensed before a tenant moves in, with each unit inspected by a state-licensed home inspector.^[6]
• Renting out a home built before 1978? It must be registered with the Maryland Department of the Environment and brought up to the lead risk-reduction standard, with a passing lead-dust test, before each new tenant moves in.^[7][8][9]

Public schools: Baltimore County Public Schools. Check any address with the district's official boundary locator.

Parks and landmarks

• Patapsco Valley State Park's Hilton Area is at 1101 Hilton Avenue; the whole park covers 16,043 acres along 32 miles of the river.^[10]
• The Short Line Railroad Trail runs 3.5 miles from Maiden Choice Lane to Frederick Road on an 1880s rail line.^[11]
• Western Hills Park covers 18.5 acres at 1437 N Rolling Road.^[12]
• UMBC sits mostly within Catonsville, and CCBC has a Catonsville campus.^[1]

Our work in Catonsville

Stephen's renovation company works on houses this age every week. If you are buying a pre-1940 Catonsville house, he can price the roof, wiring and plumbing work during your inspection period.

Affiliated business disclosure: Monarch Bay Renovations (MHIC #149066) is a separate company owned by Stephen Wilson, the team lead. You are free to use any contractor you choose.