Howard County 55+ Real Estate Market Snapshot
431 homes sold in Howard County 55+ communities over the last two years, at a median price of $650,000. Resale homes sold for a median of $551,000 and went under contract in a median of 12 days, and about half of resale buyers paid cash.
| 55+ Home Sales | Homes Sold | Median Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| All 55+ sales | 431 | $650,000 |
| Resale homes | 334 | $551,000 |
| Resale, condominium ownership | 221 | $430,000 |
| Resale, fee simple ownership | 113 | $675,000 |
| New construction | 97 | Varies by builder |
Source: Bright MLS, closed sales in Howard County MD communities marked Senior Community, October 30, 2024 to October 30, 2026. Data compiled by KJAX Group.
Two numbers stand out in Howard County's 55+ market. First, about half of resale buyers paid cash, which is far higher than the general market and usually means a smoother, faster closing for sellers. Second, about 60% of resale homes sold at or above list price, with a median of 12 days on market. Many of these buyers are selling a larger family home at the same time, so timing the sale and the purchase together matters as much as the price. Kelly Jackson and Keith Jackson of KJAX Group plan both sides of that move.
Market data updated October 2026
The Most Active 55+ Communities in Howard County
Ranked by the number of homes sold over the last two years. Communities with several sections, such as Waverly Woods and Village Crest, are combined.
| # | Community | Town | Homes Sold | Median Price | Price Range | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waverly Woods | Marriottsville and Woodstock | 69 | $650,000 | $340,000 to $1,100,000 | Resale |
| 2 | Village Crest | Ellicott City | 41 | $385,000 | $320,000 to $785,000 | Resale |
| 3 | Bethany Glen | Ellicott City | 36 | $856,000 | $655,000 to $1,228,000 | New construction |
| 4 | Maple Highlands | Fulton | 33 | $1,153,000 | $969,000 to $1,376,000 | New construction |
| 5 | Snowden Overlook | Columbia | 30 | $692,000 | $410,000 to $850,000 | Resale |
| 6 | Ellicott Hills | Ellicott City | 29 | $413,000 | $325,000 to $720,000 | Resale |
| 7 | Gatherings at Lyndwood | Elkridge | 27 | $425,000 | $354,000 to $480,000 | Resale |
| 8 | Walden Woods | Laurel (North Laurel) | 14 | $702,500 | $635,000 to $915,000 | Resale |
| 9 | Cattail Creek | Glenwood | 11 | $685,000 | $600,000 to $855,000 | Resale |
| 10 | Ellicott Meadows | Ellicott City | 10 | $682,500 | $550,000 to $850,000 | Resale |
Source: Bright MLS, closed sales in Howard County MD communities marked Senior Community, October 30, 2024 to October 30, 2026. Data compiled by KJAX Group.
Search 55+ Homes for Sale
Browse every active home for sale in Howard County's 55+ communities, from Waverly Woods to Snowden Overlook, pulled from the MLS.
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Schedule a ConsultationHoward County 55+ Community Profiles
Each profile uses sales from the last two years. Prices and sizes vary within every community, so use these as a starting point and ask us about specific homes.
Waverly Woods
Waverly Woods is the busiest 55+ area in the county and the top choice for buyers who want a golf course community, built around the Waverly Woods Golf Club. The neighborhood sits on part of the historic Waverly estate, whose 1750s mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now owned by Howard County. The 55+ active adult sections are west of Star Chaser Circle and range from condominium homes to larger single-family homes, built between 2006 and 2017. Resale homes went under contract in a median of 9 days, and 68% sold at or above list price.
| Section | Homes Sold | Median Price |
|---|---|---|
| Waverly Woods West | 24 | $855,000 |
| Courtyards at Waverly Woods | 15 | $450,000 |
| Courtyards at Waverly Woods East | 15 | $410,000 |
| Waverly Woods | 10 | $719,500 |
| Waverly Mews | 5 | $405,000 |
Village Crest
Village Crest includes several age-restricted sections in the Taylor Village area of Ellicott City, built between 2005 and 2015. Most sales are condominium homes, making it one of the more attainable 55+ options in the county. Resale homes went under contract in a median of 11 days.
| Section | Homes Sold | Median Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hearthstone at Village Crest | 24 | $382,500 |
| Village Crest at Taylor Village | 11 | $605,000 |
| Taylor Village | 4 | $399,000 |
| Legacy at Village Crest | 2 | $380,000 |
Bethany Glen New Construction
A new construction 55+ community with 36 builder sales from 2025 to 2026. Homes range from about 1,770 to 2,750 square feet with garages, and prices ranged from about $655,000 to $1,228,000.
Maple Highlands New Construction
A new construction 55+ community in Fulton with homes of about 2,700 to 3,100 square feet and garages. Prices ranged from about $969,000 to $1,376,000, making it the highest-priced 55+ community on this list.
Snowden Overlook
Built between 2005 and 2009, Snowden Overlook offers larger homes, with a median of about 3,200 square feet, and garages. Owners pay three separate fees: a condominium fee, an HOA fee, and the Columbia Association annual charge, so budget for all three when comparing it with other communities. Resale homes went under contract in a median of 8 days, and 70% sold at or above list price.
| Section | Homes Sold | Median Price |
|---|---|---|
| Snowden Overlook | 23 | $680,000 |
| Villas at Snowden Overlook | 7 | $694,000 |
Ellicott Hills
Built between 2003 and 2006, with a mix of condominium homes in the Enclave section and larger homes in the main community. Resale homes went under contract in a median of 15 days.
| Section | Homes Sold | Median Price |
|---|---|---|
| Enclave at Ellicott Hills | 18 | $407,450 |
| Ellicott Hills | 11 | $625,000 |
Gatherings at Lyndwood
Condominium homes of about 1,400 to 1,900 square feet with garages, built between 2005 and 2008. Prices ranged from about $354,000 to $480,000, and resale homes went under contract in a median of 31 days.
Walden Woods
A smaller 55+ community and the newest resale option among the featured communities, built between 2016 and 2019. The villa homes offer extra space for visiting adult children, guests, or a live-in family member, within the community's occupancy rules. Unlike Snowden Overlook, Walden Woods sits outside Columbia Association boundaries, and its monthly HOA fees are more modest. All sales were fee simple homes of about 2,000 to 2,700 square feet with 3 to 4 bedrooms and garages, and 79% of resale homes sold at or above list price.
Cattail Creek
Larger homes of about 2,800 to 3,600 square feet in western Howard County, built in 2004 and 2005, with garages and a quieter rural setting. Resale homes went under contract in a median of about one month.
| Section | Homes Sold | Median Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cattail Creek | 6 | $697,950 |
| Villas at Cattail Creek | 5 | $685,000 |
Ellicott Meadows
Homes of about 2,200 to 3,000 square feet with garages, built between 2005 and 2010. Prices ranged from about $550,000 to $850,000, and resale homes went under contract in a median of 34 days.
Source: Bright MLS, closed sales in Howard County MD communities marked Senior Community, October 30, 2024 to October 30, 2026. Data compiled by KJAX Group.
More Howard County 55+ Communities
These communities had fewer sales over the last two years, which often means homes come up less often. If one of them is your first choice, it pays to be ready before a home is listed.
| Community | Town | Homes Sold | Median Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott's Retreat | Ellicott City | 9 | $430,000 |
| Enclave at Ellicott Station | Ellicott City | 8 | $675,000 |
| Maplecrest | Elkridge | 8 | $422,500 |
| Trotter's Retreat (new construction) | Clarksville | 8 | $1,150,500 |
| Hearthstone at Timbers | Elkridge | 7 | $321,000 |
| Hearthstone at Ellicott Mills | Ellicott City | 7 | $600,000 |
| Gatherings at Ellicott Mills | Ellicott City | 7 | $450,000 |
| Gatherings at Jefferson Place | Ellicott City | 6 | $396,500 |
| Hickory Crest | Columbia | 6 | $629,000 |
| Scot's Glen | Columbia | 5 | $895,000 |
| Enclave at Park Forest | Elkridge | 5 | $630,000 |
| Legacy at Cherry Tree | Laurel (North Laurel) | 5 | $355,000 |
Source: Bright MLS, closed sales in Howard County MD communities marked Senior Community, October 30, 2024 to October 30, 2026. Several other communities had one or two sales. Howard County also publishes a full list of 55+ communities.
Buying or Selling in a Howard County 55+ Community
Howard County's 55+ market moves fast. Resale homes went under contract in a median of 12 days, about 60% sold at or above list price, and about half of buyers paid cash. Whether you are buying, selling, or doing both at once, the order of your moves matters as much as the price.
If You Are Buying
Read the community rules first. Age-restricted communities set their own occupancy rules, such as how many residents must be 55 or older and whether younger family members can live there. Review the HOA or condominium documents before you make an offer.
Know the ownership type. About two-thirds of resale 55+ homes were condominium ownership, with a median price of $430,000, compared with $675,000 for fee simple homes. Ownership type affects fees, exterior maintenance, and financing.
Be ready to compete. About half of resale buyers paid cash. If you are financing, a strong pre-approval and a clear plan for your current home make your offer more competitive.
If You Are Selling
Price for the first two weeks. Resale homes went under contract in a median of 12 days, and about 60% sold at or above list price.
Know your buyer. Many 55+ buyers are selling a larger home at the same time and want a home that is ready to move into. Updated kitchens, baths, and lighting, plus easy access on the main level, are worth highlighting.
Coordinate both moves. If you are moving within or out of a 55+ community, plan the sale and the next purchase together. See our guide to assisted living transitions if that is part of your plan.
Howard County 55+ Communities FAQ
What are the most popular 55+ communities in Howard County MD?
Based on home sales over the last two years, the most active 55+ communities in Howard County are Waverly Woods in Marriottsville and Woodstock, Village Crest in Ellicott City, Bethany Glen in Ellicott City, Maple Highlands in Fulton, Snowden Overlook in Columbia, Ellicott Hills, Gatherings at Lyndwood in Elkridge, and Walden Woods in North Laurel.
How much do 55+ homes cost in Howard County?
The median sale price across all Howard County 55+ communities was $650,000 over the last two years. Resale homes had a median of $551,000, ranging from about $430,000 for condominium homes to $675,000 for fee simple homes. New construction communities such as Maple Highlands sold for more than $1,000,000.
Are there new construction 55+ communities in Howard County?
Yes. Bethany Glen in Ellicott City, Maple Highlands in Fulton, and Trotter's Retreat in Clarksville all had new construction 55+ sales in 2025 and 2026. About 22% of Howard County 55+ sales over the last two years were new construction.
How fast do 55+ homes sell in Howard County?
Resale homes in Howard County 55+ communities went under contract in a median of 12 days, and about 60% sold at or above list price. Among the most active communities, Snowden Overlook and Waverly Woods moved fastest, with medians of 8 to 9 days.
Do most 55+ buyers in Howard County pay cash?
About half of resale 55+ buyers in Howard County paid cash over the last two years, often from the sale of a larger family home. For a pricing analysis or a plan to buy and sell at the same time, call or text Kelly Jackson and Keith Jackson of KJAX Group at 240.385.9905.
Who can live in a 55+ community?
Age-restricted communities generally require that at least one resident in most homes be 55 or older, but each community sets its own rules, including whether younger family members can live there. Review the HOA or condominium documents for the specific community before you buy.
Ready to Make Your Next Move?
Whether you are moving into Waverly Woods, downsizing from a family home in Ellicott City, or selling in Snowden Overlook, Kelly Jackson and Keith Jackson of KJAX Group will build a plan around your timing, your budget, and current local data. Call or text 240.385.9905, or schedule a consultation.
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