Notes from My Chesapeake Home

Sharing local stories, market trends, and real estate advice for buyers and sellers across Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Latest Insights from Courtney

Team Ivingo Creative Team Ivingo Creative

Living in Kent County: A Realtor’s Perspective

Kent County is one of those rare places where life unfolds at a quieter pace—but with more depth, more connection, and more character than you'd expect from a dot on the map.

As someone who not only works in real estate here, but calls this place home, I’ve seen the magic of Kent County through the eyes of newcomers and longtimers alike. Whether you’re relocating, retiring, or simply craving a change of pace, here's what it's really like to live in Kent County—from a local Realtor’s perspective.

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Team Ivingo Creative Team Ivingo Creative

Why I Love Kent County in the Fall (And Why You Might, Too)

There’s something special about fall in Kent County—the kind of beauty you don’t find on a brochure. From cozy mornings in Chestertown to quiet coastal evenings in Rock Hall, the Eastern Shore transforms this time of year. As a local real estate expert, I’m sharing why autumn might just be the perfect season to discover (and fall for) life in Kent County.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Navigating a Shifting Market on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

After years of a fast-paced seller’s market, things are beginning to change on the Shore. Homes are taking longer to sell, buyers have more choices, and strategic pricing has never been more important. For buyers, this shift means new opportunities—motivated sellers, fewer bidding wars, and favorable interest rates. For sellers, it’s about making smart moves to stay competitive while still taking advantage of strong equity gains.

Curious what this means for you? Whether you’re buying or selling, here’s what you need to know to succeed in this evolving market.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

What to Know About Condo Living on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Condominiums remain a popular U.S. housing choice, offering an appealing alternative to single-family homes for those valuing convenience, community, and low-maintenance living. On Maryland's Eastern Shore, condos are increasingly popular in waterfront towns and resort communities. From Kent Island to Cambridge, condo living is a great option for first-time buyers, downsizers, or anyone seeking ownership with simplicity.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

How to Choose the Best 55+ Active Adult Community on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Not everyone looking for a home or selling a home on the Eastern Shore is seeking bigger, better, more. For many, the Eastern Shore offers a charming place to downshift, downsize, and consider their next chapter—and often their real estate interests are focused on exploring the convenience, community, and right-sized ease of active adult communities. 

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Become More Active in Your Chesapeake Community This Spring

Spring on Maryland’s Eastern Shore brings returning osprey, waterways waking up from winter, and a fresh wave of opportunities to emerge from hibernation and get involved in your community. Whether you're a lifelong resident or newly settling in, now is the perfect time to connect, give back, and explore the vibrant local scene in Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

What Every Chesapeake Homeowner Needs to Know About Insurance

The Eastern Shore’s unique environment comes with perks—gorgeous sunsets, sweeping marshes, tranquil coves. But that waterfront proximity also poses challenges that mean having the right insurance coverage isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

But here’s the thing: not all homeowner’s insurance is created equal, especially in the Chesapeake Bay region. With rising sea levels, increased flooding, and environmental regulations that affect coastal properties, it’s more important than ever to understand exactly what’s covered—and what’s not.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Winter Guide to Maryland’s Eastern Shore

The coziest time of the year is upon us on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, but there’s plenty do do, see, eat and explore during the Chesapeake winter. Pop in for a show at the Avalon, enjoy fresh in-season oysters on the half shell, check out a Hot Chocolate 5k or a Fire and Ice Festival, or wonder at the amazing variety of overwintering bird life on a walk at Pickering Creek. For more ways to savor this season, keep reading my winter guide!

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

2024 Holiday Guide to Maryland’s Eastern Shore

The Chesapeake is always beautiful, but the small towns and waterways are particularly charming over the holiday season. Check out my 2024 Holiday Guide to the Eastern Shore’s best holiday festivals, activities, dining, parades, and more!

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Buying Land in the Chesapeake

Selecting a place for its peaceful vistas, small towns and sunsets across open water first—and building second—provides maximum home customization in an unforgettable, perfect-for-you location. But buying land in this rural, river-oriented environment presents unique opportunities as well as some challenges. If you’re considering purchasing a slice of Maryland’s scenic landscapes or waterways, keep these essential tips in mind to make your experience positive and successful.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Long Distance Chesapeake House Hunting

House hunting in-person can be stressful for many buyers, but searching for a new home remotely can be overwhelming—especially when so many aspects of Eastern Shore life don’t translate to a search engine! If you’re looking for your Chesapeake home, here’s a few suggestions to make the process as smooth as possible.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Six Essential Questions for Buying a Home

Buying a home in the Chesapeake is not just a transaction— whether you're drawn to the historic waterfront towns or the tranquil rural landscapes, it's crucial keep your priorities in mind as you navigate the real estate process with care and attention to detail.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Courtney’s Pearls of Wisdom

Selling can look daunting from the outset, but there are some simple strategies you can use to put your best foot forward as you consider listing your home. Born and raised in the “Pearl of the Chesapeake,” Rock Hall, Maryland, I thought I’d share a few selling “pearls” of my own to to ensure you have a smooth experience.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Hunkering Down for Winter

Though the Chesapeake’s winters are usually mild, some snow and ice is to be expected. Use my checklist to help you batten down the hatches as you prepare for the cold, beautiful months on the Eastern Shore.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

The Benefits of Rightsizing

We can learn some lessons about life’s changes, the turns of the season, and simplifying from our feathered friends. For many of us, our fledglings are now grown. Or our nests, once cozy, were built for a life that has transformed. If we’re not flying south this winter, it’s time to think about what nest is right for us, right now.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Summertime Eastern Shore Dock Bars

Nothing quite captures the life and vibrance of the Chesapeake summer spirit quite like the annual re-opening of the dock bars. These waterfront watering holes are cruising destinations and entertainment venues, luring patrons by water and land with live music, food, and sunny decks all summer long. Each Eastern Shore waterfront community has their own dock bar, but we wanted to share a few of our must-visit favorites in Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Kent Counties.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Landscape Tips to Help Your Home Sell

It’s late spring on the Eastern Shore and that means it’s time to get that yard and landscaping looking beautiful. But the work you put into your property’s lawn and plantings can make all the difference when it comes to selling your home. Read our pro tips for some easy ways to refresh your property and turn the heads of your home’s potential buyers.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

Celebrating the Eastern Shore, Throughout the Seasons

Throughout the year, the communities of the Eastern Shore create different ways to celebrate the season. Distinctive to each county’s landscape and traditions, these festivals and events annually enliven life in Talbot, Queen Anne’s and Kent County.

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Courtney Chipouras Courtney Chipouras

New Year, New Resolutions

Winter is a good time for fulfilling that resolution to make this place your home. Maybe you’ve been coming to the Eastern Shore since you were a kid. Maybe you love boating here and have always dreamed about dropping anchor here for good. You know who you are—you are a future Eastern Shore resident. So why wait?

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