11723 Devilwood Drive - Regency Estates - $625,000

Listed By Long and Foster

This is a nice home on a quiet street off Postoak Road in Regency Estates. From the road it is pretty with a nice lawn and well maintained exterior. A nice lead walk brings you directly to the door from the driveway. Lovely landscaping will be beautiful while in flower.

You enter the home and walk into a nice foyer floored with ceramic tile. The kitchen is on the right with a tile floor, granite counters and nice cherry cabinets. I think the oven is much older. This is an easy fix for new homeowners. A door from the kitchen leads off to a side deck. This home does not have a garage. Not too large, but plenty of sun and a great place to destress after a long day at the office.

You walk through the foyer into the living room which is good size. It is adjacent to the dining room with a table that will have room for at least 6 and maybe 8 with ease. The floors throughout the upper level are hardwood and in good shape.

There are 3 bedrooms and a master on the first level. The bedrooms are kid size except for the master which is adequate. The master bath has been nicely remodeled with blue tile it looks great. The hall bath has been upgraded but the original muted yellow tub is still in place.

Downstairs is finished with carpet. The fireplace is nice and has plenty of room for a TV or rec room. There is plenty of storage in an unfinished section, and a slider takes you out to a lovely backyard and slate patio. The laundry area is under the kitchen as is another bedroom. A modern glass block wall without a formal door encases a full bath and shower. Very modern, very nice, albeit a bit out of place. Someone could work with this and make it a winner.

Overall, this is a nice home on a nice street at a nice price. The agent priced it right and it should draw traffic. I see an offer quickly on this home. Somewhere around $610K once settled.

12305 Old Canal Road - Montgomery Square - $749,000

Listed By Weichert

Google Map Here

Montgomery Square is on the Rockville side of Montrose road and is part of the Richard Montgomery High School Cluster. This is a nicely maintained community of brick and frame homes built in the 1960's. This community is a great place to find the expensive Potomac mailing address at a discount.

This home is a nicely landscaped brick and frame home with a one car garage. There are two ways to enter this home, from the garage or up a few flight of stairs to the front entry. The landscape is well maintained and the home has nice curb appeal.

The foyer is hardwood with the stairs going up on your immediate left. To the right is a piano sized Living Room which has been well staged by the homeowner or Realtor.

The kitchen floor is tiled and has natural pine cabinets. There are Corian counter tops and newer dishwasher and range. There is room for a good size table here for all to sit and eat. Although updated, the kitchen at some point will need a face lift. (Don't we all!)

There is a laundry room adjacent to the kitchen with resilient floor and pantry. There is an addition on this level that has a decent size bedroom or office, full bath and family room in the rear. The rooms are carpeted with Berber and family room has a slider to a deck overlooking a lovely back yard.

The upstairs has an extended Master Suite with large Master Bath. The other bedrooms are teen size with a recently redone hall bath to service them.

The basement is finished and below grade. Carpeted with room for a TV area, it also serves as an entry from the garage to the upstairs.

This is a nice house, larger then it appears from the outside. It has been a long time since I have seen a house in the $749K range in Montgomery Square. Those that were in this range were fully renovated and on nicer flatter lots. This is certainly a nice home, but we have to take into consideration the current market which is at least 10-20% lower then 2 years ago. This one will end up in the $650K range once settled.

9441 Tobin Circle - McAuley Park - $1,499,000

Listed by Long and Foster

McAuley Park is a lovely community that runs along Kentsdale Drive and borders Cabin John Regional Park. This is a well maintained enclave of homes that feeds into the Churchill High School Cluster. It is consistently a sought after community.

This home is a pretty brick colonial on a nicely landscaped lot. There is good curb appeal. The foyer has brand new hardwood floors that run through to the powder room adjacent. The living room and dining room are on the right side of the home with formal mouldings and plenty of room.

The back of the home has been extended. There is a large breakfast room in the back of the home just behind the kitchen. Encased in glass, it brings the outside in with plenty of natural light and views of Cabin John Regional Park behind the home. A deck with elaborate (Expensive) rails is spacious and attractive. There could be some fabulous Potomac parties in this space.

Because of the extension the kitchen is now in the center of the home. Large and open it is due for a makeover. The space would accommodate a spectacular kitchen with all the latest updates. Currently it is a bit tired and dated. It will be on the short list of things to renovate.

The family room is adjacent to the kitchen and has a large stacked stone fireplace that is super. The family room was also extended and has lots of space for the family and entertaining. With cathedral ceilings it has huge potential once the home is renovated.

Behind the garage and addition has been added to the home housing a Master bedroom wing. Very nicely done, with modern design this will WOW the right buyer. It is a lovely escape from the main home and offers privacy and seclusion after a long day of work.

The upstairs has 4 bedrooms. Currently one of them is open to the family room downstairs and is used as a loft work area. The other 3 baths are en-suite and decent size. All of the baths in this home will need renovation sooner rather then later.

If you can look past the old kitchen and baths, this is a fabulous home. The new master suite will steal someones heart, but at $1,499,000 it is no bargain. It needs quite a bit of additional renovation to ever sell at that price. I see this more in the $1.3mm range once settled.

8729 Wandering Trail Drive - Fox Hills West - $789,000

Listed by Weichert

Google Map Here

Fox Hills West is a very sought after community near Falls Road Park. Built in the early 1970's this is a stable move up community for those that need larger homes and still want the Potomac cache.

This home has nice curb appeal, with pretty lawn and lovely brick veneer. You enter the foyer which has grey slate floors which were common in the original homes and have held up well over the past 35 years. There is a large living room on the right side of the foyer with hardwood floors, and a cozy family room on the left. The family room has a large bricked wall with fireplace. The wood paneling is dated but makes the room feel rather cozy.

There is a step down into a mud room from the dining area. The room holds the washer and dryer and is floored in some type of Pergo style wood. There is also a small sun room on the back of the home. It looks to be prefab and is not heated or cooled. It is a nice touch but a bit small for my taste.

The kitchen is older but is decent condition. White wood cabinets with older appliances. The floor is some type of laminate with stenciled country design.

The upstairs has a master suite and 3 other bedrooms. The hall bath is brown and a bit dated. The master bath has the original shower stall and tile.

The in ground basement has a Nanny bedroom with a nice newer bath, recreation room with a wet bar and plenty of room for exercise equipment.

The backyard is flat and lovely. Nicely landscaped with plenty of shade. A buyer with a green thumb will be thrilled with a yard they can work with.

This is a nice home in a great neighborhood. Although this home is in good shape, there is a lot of upgrading to do for a new owner. Baths and kitchens are expensive and paneling in the family room would be on the short list to do. I think that this will sell and settle in the neighborhood of $735K when all is said and done.

Down Market? Says Who?

WOW! I apologize to those of you that regularly review my blog posts to see what is going on in the Potomac market. Truth is, it has been SO busy, I have been focusing on writing contracts, submitting offers and reviewing incoming offers.

Over the past two weeks I have sold two of my listings and ratified two purchase contracts. Those that say the market is horrible need to take another look. Homes are now available at prices not seen in a very long time.

I listed a condo in Chevy Chase which was under contract in less then 3 week. It will end up selling within 1% of the suggested list price. This goes to show that homes that are priced correctly will generate interest and sell quickly.

Another of my Chevy Chase listings went on the market last week, and we received 4 offers on the property within 3 days. The multiple contracts were key to getting the seller the best possible price, and once again, proves the importance of pricing a home correctly.

The inventory in our marketplace has never been better. I ratified a contract for a home on Old Georgetown road in Downtown Bethesda which was LISTED for $450,000. $450K for a single family home within walking distance to Metro? Whoa! For buyers this market is a boon!

I also ratified a contract for an out of town purchaser on a single family home in Kensington. As an active military purchaser, he was able to purchase this home with zero down and the seller paying all of his costs. On top of that, he is eligible for the $8000 tax credit from the Federal Government on his 2009 Tax Return.

This is an unprecedented time with fabulous opportunity. Don's sit on the sideline. Let me help you to sell your current home quickly for the highest possible price and take the proceeds to make a down payment on your new dream home. Call or e-mail me today. I have at least 3 homes identified in this market that are steals.

I will try to get back on track with reviews this week. Thanks for your patience!

8505 Timber Hill Lane - East gate of Potomac - $899,900

Listed By WFP

Google Map Here

East Gate is one of the more interesting communities that is still affordable in the Potomac area. Mostly contemporary designs, built in the 1970's. this community is quickly being renovated by new owners looking for an affordable entry price and a great location.

This is a very cool home. The foyer is open and welcoming. You cannot miss the back of the stacked stone fireplace that is centered in the middle of the home. The family room is on the other side of this beautiful fireplace which is nicely proportioned and perfect for entertaining.

The kitchen is a work of art. Taking up the majority of the right side of the home, it has been completely renovated. The cathedral ceilings are stunning,and the space is fabulous. When this home sells, the kitchen should get the credit. All high end appliances and cabinets, granite counters and beautiful hardware get top marks. Windows have been installed in the side of the home to allow plenty of light to stream through the space. There is room here for an enormous table if that is what you are looking for in a kitchen. There is also access to a extended deck with hot tub in the back of the home from this space.

The balance of the main level is taken by a master suite and 2 additional decent size bedrooms. Although not a huge home, the space between living and sleeping is well balanced and makes sense.

The lower level is nicely carpeted and also has a stacked stone fireplace. There is room here for a large TV and possible home theatre. There is currently an office that may be converted to a bedroom, and an additional bedroom for au-pair or teenager. A full bath services the lower level bedrooms and living area. There is also access by slider to a nice treed back yard.

This home has a lot going for it. $899K may be a bit steep for the size of this home. Because of the improvements, and quality of the improvements the price is not out of the realm of possibility. Someone will have to fall in love with the kitchen and deck of this home to pay the full price. I think this should end up around $840K, but would not be surprised to see it go higher.

8609 Atwell Road - Montgomery Square - $725,900

Listed by Weichert

Google Map Here

Montgomery Square is located just off Falls Road between Montrose Road and Wootton Parkway. Most of these homes were built in the 1960's and are a mix of split levels and ramblers most of which have been updated over the years. This is one of the few affordable communities left in Potomac for a single family home.

This home is pretty on the outside with nice landscaping and tended gardens. The home is frame construction and seems to be nicely maintained.

The foyer is small with some type of resilient tile that leads into the kitchen. It looks like ceramic, but seems like it would be easier to clean and maintain. It is not hardwood, but it looks nice. The kitchen has nice cherry cabinets and Formica counters.

The dining room and living room are small but nicely decorated. The family room is a step down, adjacent to the kitchen and small breakfast area. It has custom built ins that surround the fireplace. A nice touch.

The upstairs has 3 kid sized bedrooms and an updated bath to service them. The master suite is enlarged with high ceilings and an updated master bath.

The basement is finished with carpet and has a full bath and fireplace. There is a room built out as a bedroom for a nanny if the need for one exists.

This is a very nice home. The yard in back is gorgeous. About a third of an acre, nice lawn and groomed gardens. You could picture having friends and neighbors over for a barbecue with plenty of room left for a horseshoe pit or boccie court.

The home though nice, is small. There is not much in Montgomery Square that sells at over $700K unless it has been extended. The assessed value gives a clue as to what this home will sell for. In 2009 the value is listed as $669,500. An offer at this level should be embraced by the sellers. I'll report back to see where this one finally settles.

8503 Timber Hill Lane - East Gate of Potomac - $839,000

Listed by Long and Foster

Google Map Here

East Gate is one of the few spots in Potomac to find contemporary homes. This community was built in the early 1970's, so many of the homes have had makeovers at various points over the last 40 years. You never know what you may find here. Sort of like Forest Gump's box of chocolates.

This home has been nicely upgraded over the past few years. The foyer is open with an office to your right and an open stairwell upstairs to the left. The family room is in the back right corner of the home adjacent to the kitchen. The family room has dramatic soaring ceilings that are filled with natural light. The kitchen and breakfast area are light and airy. The kitchen is modern and recently upgraded. There is a laundry area adjacent to the kitchen that is a nice touch.

The stairwell up to the bedroom level is open and natural wood. The master suite has a sitting room attached and is nice size. The master bath is carpeted with laminate counter tops. The other 3 bedrooms are on the small side and share a hall bath.

The basement is unfinished with a walk-out to the back yard and in ground pool. There is lots of space down here that can be used for a home theater, wine cellar or other custom space.

This is a nice home is a lovely community. This home has been well prepared for sale and shows well. I am guessing this one will be under contract within the next few weeks at close to the list price.

10220 Democracy Boulevard - Camotop - $2,245,000

Listed by Optima Properties

Google Map Here

Camotop (Potomac Spelled Backwards) is a high end community of custom homes bordered by Democracy Boulevard. The price range in this community is from $1mm to $10mm on mostly 2 acre lots. This community is in the Churchill school cluster and is usually on the must see list for $1mm plus buyers.

This home is located directly on Democracy Boulevard and has an attractive (And expensive) metal fence. The landscaping is elaborate and the home has nice curb appeal. The new owners will want to trim back some of the shrubs and trees which are becoming overcrowded and a little overgrown.

The two story foyer is nice with lots of light from front windows. A formal living room and dining room are on the right side of the home with elaborate mouldings and a wallpapered ceiling. The kitchen is smaller then I expected with good light and yellow paint. A breakfast area looks out over a lovely back yard with plenty of room for a pool and tennis court.

The family room is cozy with high ceilings and a nice fireplace. There is also a library on this level that has nice built in shelving and is ready for your books and computer.

Upstairs has a central Master suite with a nice master bath and two nice closets. The closets are a mess and need to be cleaned. They are stuffed to the gills with clothes and clutter which makes the space seem very small. There are 3 other bedrooms on this level, one en-suite. These are decorated as kids rooms and will either thrill a buyer with children or deter those without. Repainting to make these rooms more neutral will make these rooms show better.

The basement is fully finished with a nice size family room with space for a home theatre. A large bedroom and full bath on this level is a nice guest suite or place for live-in help. There is also storage on this level but the rooms are chock full of stuff that looks as though it has just been thrown in this room. It needs to be cleared and cleaned to give the agent a shot at selling this home. It does not show well as it is.

The best part of this home is a 5 room office attached to the home. A former in home medical office is completely built out including reception area and bathroom. This would be a fabulous find for someone that wanted to expand their practice to their home. The location offers signage on busy Democracy Boulevard and a turnkey solution for a professional looking for this type of space.

This home is perfect for someone that does not need a super large Potomac home. The office is the wild card here. A successful professional can have their practice pay rent which will offset their regular mortgage payment (See your accountant for details).

At $2.245mm this home is a tough sell. Once you get into the $2mm range, you face intense competition. If the seller can find someone looking for the large home office they stand a chance at $2mm. Realistically, this home will sell at somewhere closer to its assessed value of $1.8mm.

11812 Seven Locks Road - Regency Estates - $519,000

Listed by Long and Foster

Google Map Here

Regency Estates is one of the few "affordable" communities left in the Churchill school cluster. Built in the early 1960's, this community is a mix of small split foyers and traditional split levels.

This home is located on Seven Locks Road which is a busy thoroughfare on this side of Potomac. This partial brick split has a one car garage and sits on a 1/4 acre lot. The home has a brick wall along the front of the home which is attractive, but will soon need maintenance. The grounds have potential, but also need some TLC.

The home is a typical split foyer. You enter into a tile foyer between floors. The main living area is upstairs and hardwood rules the day. It has been refinished in the last few years and seems to be in good shape. The kitchen too has been updated. It could use a bit of sprucing up, but it is serviceable. A door goes out to a nice size deck overlooking a fenced back yard.

The bedrooms are typical for a home of this size and era. The 2 full baths are original and small, but once again, this is typical in this type of home.

The downstairs is carpeted with a family room large enough for decent size TV. There is also a bedroom on this level and a half bath. There is a rough-in for a shower in the powder room, which should be on the short list of things to do for the new owner.

This home is priced to reflect the busy road and dated condition. It seems to have good bones and could be a bargain for someone handy that wants the Churchill district on a budget. This may be a winner for a professional with a home business. The busy road would be good exposure for a CPA or Insurance agent with a home office.

There is a foreclosure next door that is under contract. We won't know the final sales price until settlement. This is priced well at $519K although it will probably settle right around $500,000.

12636 Greenbriar Road - Palatine - $2,195,000

Listed by Long and Foster

Google Map Here

Palatine is a very high end community off Glen Road. With mostly 2 acre lots, this community is filled with a variety of custom built homes.

This home is a lovely all brick colonial on a nice 2 acre lot. With 5 bedrooms and 4 full baths this home has just over 5800 square feet of living space. Believe it or not, as large as this home is, it is one of the smaller homes in this upscale community.

This colonial has a beautiful 2 story foyer with lots of natural light. The hope is exquisitely decorated with tasteful high end finishes wherever you look. The living room seems small for a home this size, but is is certainly adequate. The dining room is nice size and suitable for entertaining. The kitchen is long and narrow with 12x12 tile that suits the space. The central island is convenient and invites company to stand adjacent to chat. A fireplace in the Kitchen is a nice touch, and rarely seen.

The breakfast area adjacent to the kitchen is bright and filled with natural light. The windows look out to the back yard which would be a fabulous view while sipping your coffee. There is a laundry area and powder room adjacent to the breakfast area behind the garage. There is also a lovely covered deck to allow outdoor living minus mosquitoes. A great touch with a yard this nice.

The family room has cathedral ceilings and a nice stone fireplace. The height in this room is very dramatic and looks up to the bridge connecting both sides of the home.

The upstairs has 3 teen size bedrooms. One bedroom is en-suite and the others share a Jack and Jill bath. The master bedroom is nicely scaled and well decorated. The master bath is along the back of the home and has a separate shower and tub. This area provides a welcome nice oasis after a long day at work.

The basement is fully finished with lots of space. Game room, Pool table, home theatre....what more could you want? A bedroom and full bath for guests or au-pair completes the space and a walkout to the back allows access to the well tended yard.

Overall this is a killer home that shows like a model. The decorating is tasteful and comfortable. It would be hard not to feel comfortable here. The price on the other hand is a bit high. Although a recent short sale has thrown the market a little, this should be discounted by anyone gauging values. When all is said and done, this should fetch in the neighborhood of $1.975mm.

10417 Grey Fox Road - Glen Meadows - $1,599,000

SOLD - 10415 Grey Fox Road - Glen Meadows - $1,470,000

Listed by Long and Foster

SOLD and Settled 9-30 for $1,279,000

This is another listing in the lovely Glen Meadows neighborhood off Glen Mill Road. All brick with nice landscaping, it has great curb appeal.

This lovely home is all brick with a side load three car garage. The foyer is stunning with two story volume and lots of natural light. The wide plank cherry floors are a lovely touch and are installed throughout the first level. This is a colonial style floor plan with some contemporary flair. The rooms are nice size and beautifully decorated. The kitchen is fabulous and open. High end cabinets and appliances are a cooks dream. There is a sun room with lots of light which was an option when Mitchell and Best offered these for sale in 2000.

The upstairs has Four bedrooms and Three full baths. The bedrooms are teen size with one bedroom en-suite. The colors in these bedrooms are designed around kids. Bright colors which will thrill those with a growing family. The master is nice size with decent space. The master bath has separate bath and shower typical in homes of this size.

The basement is fully finished with carpet, exercise room and plenty of space for a home theatre. There is a bedroom and full bath as well to accommodate guests or a live in nanny or housekeeper.

This home shows beautifully and has been well prepared for the market. This segment of the market is incredibly competitive. Not only does the home need to show well, but it needs to be priced well. This one will linger on the market at this price. This one will have to be reduced to garner interest and should sell for somewhere in the $1.265 to $1.3mm range.